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mLearning, is it something for my organization?? |
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| mLearning or mobile learning, is the Buzz Word making round the corner for quite some time. It sounds trendy, paints a voguish picture of a dynamic and agile workforce, which moves with grace of James Bond, pops up the latest Gizmos and well, learns too!! That’s called learning on the move! | |  | |
But how much truth is behind this big noise called “mLearning”??
With the increasing computing power of handheld devices, that makes phone calls too, unlocking the value of these Gizmos in the training industry is yet to happen. It’s now time to set out with mLearning and reap its benefits.
There are initial hurdles on the block, but like any other technology that contributed to the training and learning industry, it’s getting eased out fast.
As the Training Manager, when you are planning to implement mLearning in your organization, here is your simple list to get the most out of it.
1. Choose the right Target Audience -
Validate your target group’s readiness for accepting mLearning
a) Choose a group of learners widely distributed in different geographies
b) The group of learners who mostly travel and hardly can be put together in a training room
c) The learners who are acquainted with computer based eLearning
d) The learners have basic mobile handset that support multimedia features with GPRS connectivity
But remember, a learner is used to his/her hand phones, you are not teaching them how to use his/her handset.
2. Decide on the right Technology -
Using right technology is the key to successful mLearning implementation
a) Sample survey the different Handset models your Target learners’ use. Analyze this data and categorize them into Make, OS, and multimedia support
b) If a learner doesn’t have a required hand set-buy him one. It’s cheaper than arranging his training class for a full day!!
c) Share this Handset data with the Technology Partner and ask them to design a single build that’s accessible by most of the models, make and OS used
d) Adding more bells and whistles is fine, but choose only those features that you really require
e) Make it online and accessible through credential validation only
3. Deliver the right Content -
Delivering the right content for a mLearning is the key to make it effective
a) The mantra is ‘Small is Beautiful’. Make the content granular. Small bite size. A mobile learner is going to spend lesser time on it compared to a traditional eLearner
b) Use Voiceovers for the contextual learning. Remember it’s a phone, and we are used to listening to a phone rather than viewing it
c) Use limited Text to appear on screen, just to re-enforce what is been thought
d) Use big graphics and pictures, again to re-enforce learning. Bigger images look better in small screen
e) Make your Learning Engaging and Involved, make it Interactive
f) Use assessment and evaluation, that gives the mLearner a sense of satisfaction, remember how much time he spends on playing games on his phone?
g) Capture the score and retrieve it from the phone for your analysis
mLearning modules are designed to be delivered to the learner from Mobile Learning Portals. Any learner can install the mLearning Portal interface by connecting a web link sent to him/her by an sms.
The portals are guarded by user name and password, on validating the learner’s credentials.It takes the learner to the Student Locker, where a set of mLearning module is assigned to him/her.
An important factor here is the affordability of Mobile Learning. You don’t need a hi-end handset with fancy features for mLearning. Aptech’s mLearning modules are easy to access. One can view these modules in a wide range of hand sets. Most of the popular phones, build by Motorola, Samsung, Sony Erickson, Nokia can play these modules. Aptech has developed mLearning modules that can be accessed through a hand set even worth Rs.5000/+ category.
Navigation inside the course is easy and designed with usability study. The technology delivers rich Multimedia. The Constructive Instruction Technology used to design content keeps the Learner glued to the pages.
Surely, Aptech’s mLearning is not just designed for the GenX learner of today, but for the day after tomorrow!!
The Author is the Sr. General Manager of New Initiatives at Aptech. To Contact
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