Tools and Technologies for Mobile Learning by David Metcalf, University of Central Florida (notes from the eLearning Guild’s online forum)
What is mlearning?
- laptop, micro pc
- cell phone
- tablet pc
- player
- PDA/handheld
- Ebook reader
- game device
Wiki – seeking lesson in small, manageable formats that can undertake when it suits them.
No consistent answer as it is still developing, growing, being explored.
Polls of participants
experience with m-learning projects – most haven’t started
delivery are you using – most using podcasting
devices you are targeting -most were using ipods, blaceberries, smartphones/pda, cell phones,
Why consider it?
2 billion handsets by end of 2006
40M multimedia phones in US, 279 digital tv phones in US by 2010
More than 100 billion handsets with touch screens
3.25 billion mobile phones use
First Building Blocks
Learning
Second Building Block – performance support
– on the job
– task specific
– support at time of need
– coaching, mentoring
– paper based job aides
Need a consistent base of knowledge base
– repository of knowledge
– sharing of best practices & lessons learned
– connect with experts
A learner knows what they need to know – they just need to find the information.
Example – sports theme learning, sent through phone. Lesson is about a math course. Questions scored as a game. More points, they can win ring tones, prizes, sporting even tickets. (MySportsPulse). Using Moving Knowledge.
Example (Tyco)
Using vXML – book on tape style learning. For customer service management instructions.
One could also use a specialized device. ( Ie: PocketPC Symbol). Videos can be downloaded directly to the device. Best to use closeup shots. Can record messages.
Development Tools
Flash Lite
Zirada, lectora publisher
Camtasia Studio
iQuiz Maker
iWriter
quiz building for the ipbo
mobipocket ebook reader
interactive video technologies
emantras mobls
podquiz maker
kallisto
classinhand
quizzler pro
zirada mobile publisher
hot lava software
mobile and devises developer center
mobile chalkboard
talkshoe
tourcaster
pocket podcast
podtrip podcasting new
Captivate
Studymate
MobiGlam
mscape
tribal CTA
Profcast.com
Look for more on www.mlearnopedia.com (free site to look at).
Free tools:
Mob5
MobiSiteGalore
Winksite
Check what you have http://mr.dev.mobi/
Test/Quiz:
FlashcardExchange
GotestGo
iQuiz maker
Mobiode (surveys)
Studycell.com
Misc:
Apresto podcast
emantras‘ mobls
Giunti
Instancy
Liquid Talk
Communication:
CampusReact
clearTXT
Gabcast
Mobilesphere
Mogopop
MovingKnowledge
Podlines
Rave Wireless
Technical Areas to Consider:
types of devices
wireless connections
does your corp have standard devices
content providers
Wireless service providers
Platform options can make things difficult since there are many types. (blackberry, Palm, pocketpc, smartphones with WAP, JWME, tablets, handtops)
Overall this was a fairly good presentation. I was one of several in the session having trouble with audio and video files during the presentation. Another issue for myself it felt very business oriented. Not entirely, but that is a strong focus I find often of the mobile teaching. They speak of on the job tools, training as you need it, performance support. However, it generally seems related to sales. There is a huge world out there that needs more training then customer service. I’m in the health care industry and at a facility that has a great deal of RN students….how great for them to have a bedside “companion” with them to reference a wound for proper treatment, medication references for dosages (these greatly exist in the mobile world I realize). I’m not sure where we are going with this as an organization yet, but this session wasn’t quite what I was thinking of, although there we a ton of useful sites, tools, and info for me to go explore. Great job again by the Guild.