Mobile learning is rising in popularity as a way to meet training initiatives in the corporate world. A lot of organizations have started to accept this as part of their delivery methods. In fact, some of them prefer to use this mode of learning compared to other alternatives.
Also known as mLearning, this learning method is the next step in the elearning industry. There are several factors driving the popularity of this method of learning.
Sophisticated software and hardware for mobile devices. As smartphones, tablets and other mobile devices get more sophisticated, it is more able to comply with the learning needs in the corporate world. In the past, mobile devices were only used to make calls. Then came text messaging that allowed a more economical way of communicating. But mobile devices have come a long way from that. What used to be a device for entertainment and communication purposes can now become an important delivery platform for elearning. You can watch a video, access your emails, download files and play games in your mobile device. As long as there is an Internet connection, it is possible to access any training program that is stored online.
Learners find comfort and convenience in using mobiles. The bulk of the trainees that organizations need to deal with come from a generation of mobile users. Learners come from the Gen Y group. They are the ones who prefer to use tablets and smartphones when it comes to learning new things. Since this is something that they are used to, it becomes a comfortable way of learning. For other generations, this is a new way to train – thus it provides a refreshing way to gain new information. Some training programs also allow learners to bring their preferred device, it makes the learning process more personalized and hopefully more effective.
New technologies that make learning through mobile devices easier. A lot of learning management systems (LMS) are flexible enough to allow the delivery of courses through mobile devices. Authoring tools for mLearning have also started to increase and that gives elearning creators with a lot of options. You can find a lot of framework options that will allow you to customize your mobile learning course to meet your goals more efficiently. There is also the emergence of social media that makes training all the more enjoyable for learners.
If you haven’t considered using mobile learning, it may be high time that you include it in your training strategies. This is a trend that will catch on so you need to figure out how it can be used in your company. There are two ways for you to do this.
The first is simply redesigning your old courses so it can be accessed through mobile devices. You just have to make your course more flexible. You do not have to build them from scratch. The other way is to create new courses utilizing the mLearning delivery method. You can specifically create activities that is ideal for on-the-go learners.
There are specific training needs wherein mobile learning is the best method of delivery. It is perfect for creating a social learning environment – or at least one that specifically requires collaboration between learners.
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