Why Should You Use Wireless and Mobile Learning

The question “What is m-learning?” is not rhetorical. The terminology used by people talking about wireless learning, mobile learning, and m-learning has a great deal of variability depending on the journal, website, consultant, or vendor. When developing solutions, make sure your technology suppliers share your definitions. Wireless is a term used to describe telecommunications in which electromagnetic waves (rather than some form of wire) carry the signal over part or the entire communication path. Today common examples of wireless equipment (not all educationally useful) in the home and workplace are

• Cellular phones and pagers

• PDA-equipped wireless modems

• Laptops with wireless cards

• Global positioning systems (GPS)

• Cordless computer peripherals such as the cordless mouse or keyboard

• Remote garage-door openers

• Baby monitors

Mobile learning (m-learning) refers to learning that takes place on devices that are portable, have their own power supply, and can be easily used where there is no access to affixed lines, that is, a physical wire-based connection. Mobile learning devices can be connected to a wireless network or they can work in disconnected mode. In a disconnected mode, the device must have content downloaded in advance—so not all mobile devices are wireless. Likewise, not all wireless devices are mobile; many people consider a laptop PC with WiFi cards too cumbersome to be genuinely mobile. Examples of common mobile devices (not all educationally practical) are

• Mobile phones

• Pocket PCs

• Laptops

• Smart phones

• Tablet PCs

• Personal communication devices such as pagers

Fixed line refers to an e-learning situation in which the learner is connected to a physical wire to achieve network connectivity. In contrast, the mobile systems free the learner from needing a physical wire and allow situated learning. The first kind of mobile learning, “disconnected use,” relies on devices that have the content loaded on them in advance, making it possible to take devices such as pocket PCs, PDAs, or laptops anywhere. In contrast, wireless mobile learning uses a wireless high-fidelity network to connect learners to content without having to preload content.

There are pros and cons for each option. A multidimensional framework developed by Goh and Kinshuk (2004) suggests that the pros and cons for e-learning and m-learning fall into four dimensions: content, device, connectivity, and collaboration. Content refers to more than what is being taught and the use of rich media such as streaming video, audio, or detailed graphics. Content considerations should include thinking about the context in which the learning materials will be used. A traditional desktop environment affords the learner time to explore related links, to engage in complex interactions, and to focus on learning programs that last fifteen to sixty minutes. In contrast, m-learning content is situated learning that takes place in context of doing a job. The learner focuses on content needed to complete a task and is not interested in exploring related links.

Wireless is a delivery strategy, not a learning strategy. The importance of the device is evidence of this maxim. The functionality of the device in most cases will be the primary design consideration. Although it is technically possible, there is no such thing as “design once and reuse across multiple devices.” Limitations such as screen size, resolution, input/output modes, navigation, and bandwidth require content be optimized for each device. Anyone who has ever used the phrase “Can you hear me now?” knows about wireless connectivity. Traditional desktop programs delivered using a physical wire have both a reliable power supply and reliable connectivity. Wireless devices face challenges such as areas in which WiFi networks are not available, frequent lost connections, and poor bandwidth. Network issues are not a problem for disconnected users, but disconnected use means that content has to be downloaded in advance. In addition, a plan must be put in place to update that content on disconnected devices. Connectivity affects tracking. If knowing who is using the systems matters, mobile and fixed-line systems will deliver immediate results. On the other hand, disconnected use systems will require additional technology to upload information on how and what is being used.

Collaboration or the ability for the learner to send messages to fellow students, contact the facilitator, and query experts is a clear strength of fixed-line systems. Collaboration in the fixed-line system can include instant messaging, participation in a threaded discussion, and embedded e-mail. Disconnected users are without these collaborative and interactive tools. The degree of collaboration available to mobile wireless users will be dependent on the device. If e-learning is in the early stages of development, m-learning is embryonic. The technologies are changing quickly, and the delivery strategies are evolving to take advantage of new features. One thing that is clear even at this embryonic stage is that m-learning will not be a stand-alone solution to fill gaps in skills and knowledge. Consider m-learning as a tool for extending learning to where it is needed as a performance support strategy.