- Connectivity: The connectivity is one of the main differences if we compare a mobile device with the PC (the usual medium for delivering e-learning). Nowadays mobile devices might be connected to ‘The Net’ via many technologies – WAP, GPRS, UMTS, Bluetooth, WiFi, etc. Although it is predictable that in the future the ‘always on’ will be wide spread still it is not the case. Mobile devices often have periods of disconnection, either intentionally (when the connection is too expensive) or not (when no infrastructure is provided).
Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/M-learning
- Device Limitations: Devices’ hardware and software characteristics have a big impact on what content is possible and meaningful to be delivered. Usually the web content is designed for desktop PCs, thus unpleasant and even rarely useful from a small-screened device. Nowadays mobile phones are rapidly becoming increasingly powerful (both from hardware and software point of view) however their screens will remain comparatively small. Often also the navigation is hard. Equipped with a small phone-style keyboard or a touch-screen (for the PDAs) the users might lose more time in searching where on the page the information they need is than in reading it. We can imagine alternative ways of navigation, for example voice commands. The memory available on a mobile device is also relatively small. It is possible to use extension packs on some devices like PDAs, which reduces some of the restrictions. Devices such as the Nintendo DS raise the bar even higher by providing collaborative gaming. The Nokia N-Gage brings an expandable platform of gaming and mobile communications to the forefront. MP3 players and other portable media devices have also come into the forefront of the mLearning trend with companies using these devices to deploy education to their 'road warrior' sales teams through podcasts or videocasts.
Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/M-learning
- Content:
4 comments:
Please add the high cost of m-Learning devices as a barier to this topic.
I need to verify cost of mobile.
Re: Gigtec.
The high cost isn't always a barrier. Special devices aren't needed, considering the proliferation of mobile phones, almost every person in the US and the EU has a mLearning device. Even if that is a challenge, we shouldn't forget the original mLearning device- the Book.
I believe people viewing this as a barrier is why mLearning, as a stated medium, isn't taking off like many experts expect (although I disagree that it hasn't taken off.. it just hasn't been labeled.)
-Matthew Nehrling
http://www.mlearning-world.com
Please look at below link related to this topic:
http://k12onlineconference.org/?p=70
Description:
Students are bringing their cell phone, iPod, Palm handheld, and PSP to school and we respond by forbidding their use or treat confiscation. However, these are the tools of the new generation and educators must change and consider how to utilize and embrace these new online learning tools. In this session you will learn about how video can be brought to handhelds and phones, how to create websites designed for portable devices, and how the mobile internet is making information more accessible than ever. You will explore what students are using and how these tools can be harnessed to support good teaching. You may even learn how to convince your principal you need a handheld!
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