The Mobile Learning Edge - Executive Learning Exchange

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Jun 23, 2011 - Previous e-learning offerings were based on single server technology—individual servers being contacted
June 23, 2011

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The Mobile Learning Edge

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Tools and Technologies for Developing Your Teams

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Adapted by permission of The McGraw-Hill Companies , Inc. from The Mobile Learning Edge by Gary Woodill. ©2011 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. ISBN: 978-0-07-173676-3

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Gary Woodill

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Introduction

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The Mobile Learning Edge examines the various ways in which mobile learning will shape the future of learning and training within the global business realm. Author Gary Woodill lays a foundation for those interested in incorporating mobile learning strategies into their corporation. He reviews the various formatting issues that make creating personalized mobile learning programs an intricate and dedicated process. The book also lists the various platforms through which mobile learning can be utilized and the technical differences between them. One of the most important issues discussed in the book is ensuring that mobile learning technology will be of fiscal benefit to an organization before that organization attempts to implement a mobile learning strategy.

What is Mobile Learning and Why is it Useful? Mobile learning is personalized and involves the use

of “cloud computing” through a mobile electronic device. Whereas traditional learning involved an instructor lecturing about what they felt was important, mobile learning is based around what the student feels is important, because with mobile learning, it is the student who is making the choice regarding what to learn. Previous e-learning offerings were based on single server technology—individual servers being contacted by individual computers when the computers needed information. Mobile learning now uses cloud computing which allows the content from several different locations to be united into one website or application. Mobile learning is not to be confused with e-learning. E-learning does not assume that the student is mobile; on the contrary, e-learning is done almost exclusively on a desktop or laptop computer that remains in a fixed position, whereas mobile learning can be done

Business Book Summaries® June 23, 2011 • Copyright © 2011 EBSCO Publishing Inc. • All Rights Reserved

The Mobile Learning Edge

Gary Woodill

on a wide range of mobile electronic devices. Some of the devices used for mobile learning are mobile phones, Smartphones, personal digital assistants, laptops and netbooks, electronic tablet devices, MP3 players, portable navigation devices, digital cameras, portable gaming devices, and USB storage devices. This allows individuals to learn where and when they choose. Mobile learning programs are custom-made to display correctly on the small screen that is typical of most mobile devices. Existing online learning materials are being converted into smaller pieces because these small amounts of information are preferable for mobile learning devices; the learner is not going to want to sit for long periods of time to read through lengthy informational materials.

The Mobile Learning Edge by Gary Woodill discusses the various ways in which mobile learning will shape the future of learning.

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• Mobile learning is a personalized form of learning that takes place on a mobile electronic device, such as a Smartphone, tablet, or netbook. The popularity of mobile learning is growing quickly because it allows learners to learn what they want, where they want, and when they want.

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• Mobile learning is very useful for employee training. Tests can be administered through mobile learning technology and the results can be realized incredibly quickly.

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Mobile learning will grow rapidly because of its ease of use and connectivity. Also, it can facilitate crossconnections between mobile learning programs and social networks.   While it may be easier to lose a mobile network device than a desktop computer, most mobile network devices provide security through password protection. The popularity of mobile learning is growing. In a study done by the MAISE Center and Learning Consortium, twenty-four percent of the respondents currently use some form of mobile learning within their organization, with an additional twenty-six percent currently planning a mobile learning program. The author points out several downsides to mobile learning programs:

• When incorporating mobile learning into a corporation, organizations should meet with their top stakeholders and determine if mobile learning would be of benefit to their corporation, and if so, what their vision for the mobile learning program should entail.

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Mobile learning is useful for many reasons. It facilitates speedy communication, it is portable and convenient, it creates active learning experiences, and it allows for learning connectivity at any time and in any location. The content taught in mobile learning is also more likely to be retained because it is learned when the student wants to learn. Also, because the student is actively seeking to learn, the information is likely to be more relevant and useful to the learner. The connectivity features within mobile learning devices allow increased collaboration between workers. Mobile learning can reduce corporate training costs because many of the learners already possess mobile learning devices. Therefore, fewer devices will need to be purchased.

Key Concepts

• Organizations should create a department specifically for mobile learning, and should ensure that is keeps the mobile learning programs up-to-date and running efficiently. Organizations should not add mobile learning to existing IT or HR departments. g g g g

Information about the author and subject: www.mobilelearningedge.com Information about this book and other business titles: www.mhprofessional.com Related summaries in the BBS Library: Managing the Mobile Workforce Leading, Building, and Sustaining Virtual Teams David Clemons and Michael Kroth, Ph.D. e-Learning 2.0 Proven Practices and Emerging Technologies to Achieve Real Results Anita Rosen

Business Book Summaries® June 23, 2011 • Copyright © 2011 EBSCO Publishing Inc. • All Rights Reserved

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• Mobile Apple products do not support the use of Flash, which is important to keep in mind when developing mobile learning programs. • Rich media files, such as large video files, can take a long time to download. This can usually be solved by simply compressing the video into a mobile friendly format. • Because mobile learning is so new, there are few guidelines in place regarding platforms, content, and distribution. The author advises organizations seeking to launch mobile learning programs to hire individuals who are familiar with creating web-based programming. The basic information regarding the technical distribution of mobile learning is as follows:

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• The mobile device users connect to their mobile voice network or internet data network, which

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About the Author

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Gary Woodill has been involved with the utilization of computers in education since 1974, when he first used the PLATO system for computer-assisted instruction. He developed educational materials for a Canadian videotext system in the late 1970s, and then started a course for teachers about computers in education in 1985 at Ryerson University in Toronto, Canada. In 1993 he co-founded an educational multimedia company that created CD-ROMs for children. Woodhill has a master’s in educational psychology and a doctorate in applied psychology from the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education. He is currently an independent emerging technologies analyst and the coauthor of Training and Collaboration with Virtual Worlds.

To add to the complexity, different mobile phones use different operating systems. In 2009, there were seven different mobile phone operating systems in use globally. Programmers developing mobile learning programs may need to create several versions, unless the learners are all using the same mobile technology. However, it is expected that in the next few years the number of operating systems will stabilize and there will be only one or two dominant systems.

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• The servers are connected to other specialized computers that allow internet access.

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It is important to note that different countries have different mobile phone standards, and as a result, many U.S. mobile phones do not work in other countries. Mobile computing capabilities are dependent upon a country’s governmental mobile phone standards. Because there is a limited amount of bandwidth available, individual governments attempt to ensure that the bandwidth is divided up according to their regulations.

The networked mobile technology system that supports mobile learning is a complex mix of multiple forms of mobility, many different mobile technologies, a diversity of carriers, a variety of learners, a multitude of learning contexts, and many approaches to the design of mobile content and teaching methods.

• The information within the mobile learning program is stored in a hosting center within several core servers.

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connects back to the hosting center.

Additionally, programmers will have to make the mobile learning program work with several different browser formats. Currently, there are roughly thirty different browsers for mobile technology that convert web (HTML) content into different formats that will display properly on current mobile screens. Programmers should make the mobile learning program function with at least three of the top browsers.

Methods for Effective Mobile Learning: Seven Principles for Employee Training Employee training is one of the most useful ways in which organizations are incorporating mobile learning. Mobile learning makes the employee training process more efficient and less expensive by allowing the employees to go through training on their own schedules, and eliminating the need for training conferences. There are seven principles that companies can consider when incorporating mobile learning into

Business Book Summaries® June 23, 2011 • Copyright © 2011 EBSCO Publishing Inc. • All Rights Reserved

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their training programs: 1. Employees are adults who learn differently from children. Adults are self-directed and need their learning endeavors to be engaging. Therefore, corporations should pay special attention to the individualization of their mobile learning programs. 2. Employees learn from solving problems that matter to them. Ensure that the mobile learning program is crystal clear in its utility and purpose.

7. Employees learn best in concrete situations that matter to them. This means the training program should present real-life situations, creating a contextual learning experience. This will ensure the engagement of the employee and better retention of the information.

Retrieving Information: Anywhere, Anytime

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Mobile technology can also be used to retrieve information from various sources such as libraries, feeds, 3. Employees learn by collaborating as members of and digital media channels to support customer educohesive social groups. The program should decation. Many organizations are providing mobile velop collective intelligence by allowing its memlearning opportunities for customers who have purbers to work together to solve problems using the chased a specific product or who have signed up for a mobile learning program to allow communication service. These mobile learning opportunities include between portable electronic devices. how-to videos, interactive tutorials, frequently asked 4. Employees also learn through conversing with questions, and searchable help sections. The mobile and listening to each other. This means that the phone business segment has the largest number mobile learning program should incorporate of mobile customer education programs. Mobile communication between devices as part of the phone companies are providing mobile tutorials as a lesson plan in order to require employees to work way to help orientate the users to their new mobile together at certain points in the training process. devices. Healthcare companies are also using mobile devices to answer medical quesRetrieving information can include learning materials pretions. Through the use of mobile pared by instructors or it can be information that is available technology, more companies are to the learner on an ‘on-demand’ basis as public information. continuing the customer-company relationship after the purchase is But, because of the rise of mobile learning technologies, there made in hopes that the customer is a definite shift from just-in-case training to just-in-time will return to make their next purchase or fill their next service need. training.

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5. Employees learn by combining new information with what they already know. This means that the mobile training program needs to be flexible and adaptable to different individuals, and allow employees to take control of their own learning and personalize it so they can apply the lessons to problems they have faced or are facing in their work environment. 6. Employees learn best through active experiences that utilize their senses and their bodies. This means the mobile learning program should have engaging segments that use various human senses at once (i.e. sight and sound, or sound and touch) to keep the employees interested.

Information can also be gathered from the internet via the use of feeds. RSS, the most common type of feed, allows individuals to have all the information from all the feeds that they subscribe to in one place. This saves the individual the time of going from website to website to find information. Because the user selects what feeds they want to subscribe to, there is no spam. RSS feeds are an effective way to monitor a large amount of content in a short amount of time. A feed reader is required to put the feeds in one place and enable viewing of them all. There are several RSS feed readers available for mobile devices including Egress, Bloglines Mobile, Avant Reader, FeederReader, Google Reader Mobile, NewsBreak, Litefeeds and Smartfeed.

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Libraries of information are available for some mobile far away. An internet application called HealthMap phone devices, but the majority of online libraries still currently tracks reports of diseases by their location. need to be converted to be mobile device-friendly. Implanted wireless heart monitors can send signals to Most online libraries were made for display on a a doctor’s wireless device if the patient’s heart begins large desktop computer screen, not the small screen to beat irregularly. In the future, other types of wireof a portable electronic device. However, there are less devices may  fulfill a variety of medical testing some applications and organizations that do have functions and report the results to the individual’s online libraries of information that allow iPhone physician without the patient ever having to go to the users to read e-books, such as the Google Books app doctor’s office. for the iPhone. Other organizaCustomer education via mobile devices is the provision of tions with mobile-friendly online libraries are the New York Public mobile learning programs and information for people who buy Library, Duke University Librar- a company’s products and/or services. ies, Crouch Fine Arts Library at Assessments and evaluations are very useful tools Baylor University, Thomas Ford Memorial Library, when determining the utility and effectiveness of C/W MARS library network, St. Joseph County Public a specific mobile learning program. One of the best Library, IEEE Xplore Mobile, University of Alaska aspects of using mobile learning technology for evalFairbanks, and the University of Virginia Library uation is that it does not require an instructor to be Electronic Text Center. ”Just-in-time” informational involved; the evaluation can simply be built into the programs, such as virtual tours, museum guides, and program and the results automatically compiled. job-aid programs are other helpful tools that allow Mobile learning is a very useful tool for evaluators mobile learning technology to address on-the-spot because of the speed at which the results of assessissues and queries. ments can be made available. There are seven different types of assessments that companies can consider: Gathering Information

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with Mobile Devices

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Mobile learning allows for an equal share of information between those teaching and those learning. The “teachers,” or those implementing the program, can easily collect data and opinions from the students regarding their performance and the mobile learning program. There are four types of applications for using mobile devices to gather educational information:

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• Monitoring and trend-tracking • Assessment and evaluation • Research and data collection • First-person documentation Mobile phones are perfect devices for tracking trends because of their quick communicative abilities and the fact that they are always with the user. They are also excellent for monitoring the health of individuals, particularly those who have medical problems. There are applications in use by medical professionals and their patients that allow for remote diagnosis. This may be helpful in rural areas where doctors are

1. Formative assessment: used to gain feedback while the student is learning. 2. Demonstrative assessment: used to demonstrate what a person can do, usually as compared to a specific set of standards. 3. Diagnostic assessment: used to determine the existence of a defined diagnostic construct. 4. Adaptive assessment: used to change the current curriculum or future assessments. 5. Summative assessment: used to determine the program’s effectiveness, summarize the learner’s achievements, and determine whether or not the student should be granted credentials. 6. Research: used to make predictions and supply data. 7. Normative assessment: used to summarize the results of many different assessments to create one profile of the average characteristics for a specific group.

Business Book Summaries® June 23, 2011 • Copyright © 2011 EBSCO Publishing Inc. • All Rights Reserved

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Learning by Communicating, Interacting, and Networking

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One of the most beneficial aspects of mobile learning software is that it allows individuals who are not in close geographic proximity to one another to collaborate. Digital media channels, such as iTunes and YouTube, are great resources for group mobile learning. Apple’s iTunes is particularly useful in the creation and distribution of podcasts, which are digital audio segments that users can subscribe to and download. Podcasts can be placed on a website where they can be heard directly, or downloaded to an MP3 player to be listened to at a later date. Podcasts are an effective way to communicate a message or idea to large numbers of individuals. In order to create a podcast, an individual needs a microphone, a basic mixer, and sound editing software. Some mobile phones allow for the creation of podcasts within the phone itself.

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Research and data collection can be performed in several different ways when using mobile technology. Surveys, polls, and voting are useful tools for those working within the social sciences and can be distributed and completed easily with the use of mobile phones, tablets, and netbooks. Many different applications have been designed to help individuals or groups collect data from others. Data can also be collected through the use of sensor technology connected to wireless transmitters. For example, researchers at Purdue University are creating cell phones that can detect radiation in order to locate radiation leaks or dirty bombs.

records everything they say and do.

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Another benefit of mobile learning is the variety of ways in which companies can assess the abilities of students. Students can use their phones to take pictures or video of a project or task to demonstrate its completion. They can also play specially designed video games created to test a specific set of skills and/or knowledge. Mobile learning is also useful for peer assessments. Completed tasks can be randomly assigned to other participants who will review their colleague’s completion of the task in comparison to their own. The completed tasks should have identifying factors removed when assigning them for peer review. The participants can then send the review of their peer and their self review to the program director for analysis.

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Smartphones also have a large gaming capacity, which is an excellent platform for group simulation and role playing games. Multiple individuals can participate in a single simulation or game at the same time, communicating with each other and learning from one another’s experiences. Mobile digital devices can also be used to foster mentoring relationships between individuals, allowing them to text, call, video chat, and Users who are moving about in the world can use a mobile communicate through mobiledevice to gather information from their environment and friendly social networking sites send it back to a server, an application, another person, or a such as Facebook and Twitter. Prenetwork. This doesn’t mean that mobile device-using learners sentation-based mobile learning software is another excellent way have become all-powerful; it means simply that, with mobile for individuals to interact with communications, learning can now be a two-way street. each other and share information. PowerPoint is the most popular First-person documentation allows the learner to presentation tool, and Prezi, an online alternative to determine what is being seen and revealed, rather PowerPoint, is gaining momentum. It is also possible than having the instructor or program planner to record lectures and presentations and convert them decide. The learner can also create an electronic portinto a video format for downloading by those who are folio (e-portfolio) by taking video, pictures, and voice interested in the topic or who were unable to attend recordings and uploading them to an external hard the presentation. The Presenter Pro application for the drive. Some individuals are even taking it a step furiPhone contains audio, video and text guides for crether by attempting to document their entire life by ating an excellent presentation. There are applications walking around with a small video recorder which for mobile phones that allow the user to photograph Business Book Summaries® June 23, 2011 • Copyright © 2011 EBSCO Publishing Inc. • All Rights Reserved

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The Mobile Learning Edge

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It is essential that a corporation manage its mobile learning programs effectively. Because mobile learning depends largely on the employee’s ability to actively pursue learning, the power has to shift from the managers and instructors to the learners themselves. This will require encouragement of self-discipline and self-direction within employees. It is also important for the organization to allow its knowledge management system to be accessible via mobile devices. A knowledge management system is a centralized database where proprietary information about the company is stored; some smaller companies may use a third-party application to store company information, such as Google Docs. When implementing a mobile learning program, the organization must allow mobile users to access the organization’s information anywhere and at any time.

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Management of Mobile Learning, Knowledge, and Performance

than one individual. These employees are often on the move but still need to work together to solve problems, and in order to effectively solve problems, they need to be able to communicate efficiently. To manage group learning, managers need to keep in mind the location, the time the learning is taking place, and the characteristics and cultural community of the learners. Because of the increasing reliance on “mobile teams”, many vendors have created mobile team management software that helps individuals collaborate in small groups. Some of the best programs for mobile team and project management are Merlin iPhone, HyperOffice, IBM Lotus Notes Traveller, Wrike, @ Task, TASKey, and Teasmspace. In order to effectively support mobile teams and their technical programs, companies need to have information and knowledge management systems, team interaction systems, team awareness systems, mobility systems, and innovation systems in place. Without these systems, managing their teams will become increasingly difficult.

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a product’s barcode, or tag, and access relevant information about the product.

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It’s not that you have to become a mobile technology expert in

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Learning management systems (LMS) are programs that auto- order to embark on implementation of mobile learning. Mobile mate training and teaching. There learning isn’t any trickier than moving a culture to e-learning. are currently many commercially It’s actually easier, because, in many ways, we have a great available mobile learning mandeal of previous experience to rely on . . . agement systems that can be purchased or downloaded for free and used to create Developing a Future-Oriented Mobile mobile learning programs. This is an excellent option Learning Strategy for organizations that do not want to spend the time One of the main focuses of the mobile learning departand money necessary to build their mobile learning ment should be trend-tracking. Mobile learning will program from scratch. Some of these mobile LMS are evolve very quickly within the next few years, and it Blackboard Learn, CellCast, Chalk Pushcast, MOMO, is essential that the department is up-to-date on all KMx, Mobile Moodle for the iPhone, MLE-Moodle, current offerings, protocols, and standards regarding eXact iTutor, MobLS, and Sakai. There is also a catemobile learning and mobile electronic devices. There gory of software called learning content management will be a high degree of competitive rivalry between systems (LCMS) that allow companies or individuals organizations as they seek to develop effective mobile to manage the online content of their mobile learning learning software, which is another reason why program. These products look very similar to LMS trend-tracking will become so essential; otherwise and many companies that offer LMS also offer LCMS. an organization’s mobile learning program has the Xyleme is an LCMS vendor that provides a group of potential to quickly become outdated and ineffective. publishing templates that allow training content to be Organizations must also keep tabs on their competisent on demand to any Java-enabled mobile electronic tor’s new mobile learning offerings to ensure that device. other companies within their field do not outpace It is also common for many corporations to assign them. teams of workers to tackle a problem or issue, rather Business Book Summaries® June 23, 2011 • Copyright © 2011 EBSCO Publishing Inc. • All Rights Reserved

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The Mobile Learning Edge

Gary Woodill

Creating Mobile Learning Content and Experiences

message service) message or email form.

Once an organization decides it wants to use mobile learning, they should begin the process by designing the mobile learning program. When designing a mobile learning program, it is important that the company ask themselves several questions: • What specific mobile electronic devices will be used? What will be the usage? Touchscreen? Stylus? Keyboard? Mouse?

2. Interactive messaging: Two-way messaging through the administration of tests and/or surveys. 3. Voice-based content and assessments: Content based on listening, such as podcasts, voice responses to surveys or tests, and conversations between learners and mentors. 4. Reference materials and static content: Material that is available for the learner to access on demand. 5. Learning content and courseware: Instructor-created interactive and lesson-based software.

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• Will the designated electronic device serve as a potential distraction from work, or will it help enhance the employee’s ability to do their job?

• Are there any specific characteristics of the targeted user group that should be incorporated into the program?

7. Interactive and immersive media: Virtual reality and learning games that can be used on a variety of mobile devices.

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• Under what settings will the user be able to use their device? Locations? Weather? Lighting?

6. Rich media: High quality video and/or audio productions that can be played on a Smartphone, netbook, laptop or tablet.

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The field of mobile learning is still in its infancy. Because new capabilities and uses of mobile technologies are still being invented, companies will need to develop a future-oriented mobile learning strategy to anticipate the growth of these new capabilities.

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The company should then hire a programmer who has had experience with the creation of mobile learning software. The programmer should not take existing learning software and shrink it down to fit on a small mobile device screen, but should instead create new software specifically designed for use in short, frequent bursts on a small screen. The company should also discuss the security requirements, such as restricting access to both the devices and the program in order to ensure that the user is the owner of the device. Delivery and access constraints should also be discussed. The organization and programmer should plan how they will distribute the new program, along with any new devices, to employees. The company should then focus on what mobile learning strategies they want to utilize. The following is a seven-step mobile learning content outline, which can be used as a guide for possible program layouts and lesson plans: 1. Messages: One-Way messages either in text (short

The organization should then work with the programmer to design the user interface for the program (i.e. what the program will look like visually), and determine the authoring and programming tools needed to create the program.

Implementing and Managing an Enterprise Mobile Learning Offering When implementing a mobile learning program within a corporation, it is important to remember that it will require the creation of a separate mobile learning department to oversee maintenance. The mobile learning program should not be assigned to the company’s IT department, nor should it be added to the HR department; it will require the dedication of its own small department of technicians, programmers and educators. The company should also determine what they want their organization’s overall mobile learning culture to be like. To do so, the company should gather the top stakeholders from within the organization and discuss what they feel would be the most effective mobile learning vision for the company. The top stakeholders should include members from HR, business strategy, marketing, sales, and customer service. At the meeting, the company should

Business Book Summaries® June 23, 2011 • Copyright © 2011 EBSCO Publishing Inc. • All Rights Reserved

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The Mobile Learning Edge

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Introduction Acknowledgements Chapter One: The Emerging Field of Mobile Learning Chapter Two: The Mobile Learning Ecosystem Chapter Three: Methods for Effective Mobile Learning: Seven Principles for Employee Training

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Chapter Four: Retrieving Information: Anywhere, Anytime

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Chapter Five: Gathering Information with Mobile Devices Chapter Six: Learning by Communicating, Interacting and Networking

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Creating, instating, and managing a mobile learning program is not an easy task, but it is a task the majority of large organizations will undertake within the next several years in order to take advantage of the growing offerings of mobile technology and their employees’ preference for mobile electronic devices. By following the guidelines presented in The Mobile Learning Edge, companies will be able to create a mobile learning program that is effective, engaging, and efficient.

Contents

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also discuss whether or not they want to supply their employees with the devices, or allow employees to use their own personal mobile devices for work purposes. The organization should try to keep their mobile learning policies in line with their overall corporate policies whenever possible.

Chapter Seven: Management of Mobile Learning, Knowledge, and Performance

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Features of the Book

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Chapter Eight: Developing a Future-Oriented Mobile Learning Strategy

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Reading Time: 4-5 Hours, 269 pages

Chapter Nine: Creating Mobile Learning Content and Experiences Chapter Ten: Implementing and Managing an Enterprise Mobile Learning Offering Appendix: Resources for Mobile Learning Bibliography Index

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The Mobile Learning Edge would be of most benefit to those working in executive positions within relatively large organizations. The book lists and describes many different vendors and tools that can be used to help create a mobile learning program within a corporation. There are also several diagrams and visuals that help to explain some of the more complicated and technical aspects of mobile learning creation. There is also an appendix that lists useful blogs, conferences, websites and publications relative to mobile learning. Some of the technical concepts could be explained in more depth, or at least defined in a manner that would be comprehensible to less tech savvy individuals, but for the most part the concepts are universally understandable. The book should be read cover to cover so that the reader can get a sense of what mobile learning is before moving on to the sections regarding mobile learning programs, instatement and management.

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The Mobile Learning Edge

A Note to Our Readers

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We at BBS encourage our readers to purchase the business books we summarize. BBS Summaries are intended as a service to busy professionals, as we recommend only those books that are worth your time to read in their entirety. We apply stringent criteria in selecting only the best business books, and in that selection process, strive to help you make informed book-purchasing decisions.

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Copyright of Mobile Learning Edge - Business Book Summaries is the property of Great Neck Publishing and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use.