Models of Mobile Learning

When we talk or read about mobile learning, it’s often implicitly implied and understood that we are talking about learning that takes place on a mobile device.

However when users and educators start looking for more information on mobile learning, they are often met with a barrage of additional terms and learning methods, all of which seem to be grouped under the umbrella of “mobile learning”. QR codes, educational apps, mobile-enabled websites, gaming, text messaging, flashcards… how do all these different activities fit together and why are they all considered mobile learning activities?

Web Model of Mobile Learning

Due to the advent of advanced mobile devices and internet technology, an integration of capabilities have enables users to be able to access the net from mobile devices, wherever they are, as long as they have internet connectivity, wireless or otherwise.

As a result, the mobile device began to function as a limited (to begin with) computer which could mimic all the browsing, emailing and chatting activities usually done with a desktop and net connection. When these activities are applied to a learning environment, for example, if students use their phones to access information on to a blog or visit a webpage, then it is a mobile learning activity.

App Model of Mobile Learning

Smartphones have ushered in the age of apps. Apps are nothing but software programs created to work on a mobile phone. An app can provide any functionality or capability the user requires, such as measurement unit converters, list builders, and games.

Educational apps are focused on teaching specific skills, such as language apps, or math flashcards. When a student accesses an educational app to learn something on-the-go, he/she is using the app model of mobile learning. QR codes are more sophisticated two-dimensional barcodes, and can contain more information which can be read with a scanner. QR code scanners are downloadable as smartphone apps and use the phones camera to scan the code.

Cellular Model of Mobile Learning

The cellular model of mobile learning makes use of the telephony capabilities of the mobile device. Every phone has basic voice and data capabilities. When learning is imparted via text messaging (for example, replying A,B,C or D to a multiple choice question), that is using the cellular model of mobile learning.

While both the web model and the app models require internet connectivity, the cellular model of mobile learning only requires the phone’s network connectivity.

Mobl21 converges the paths to mobile learning

Mobl21 combines the sweet features of the three models of mobile learning to provide educational capabilities that are numerous, flexible, and available to students both online and offline. For more information contact sales@mobl21.com.

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