Mobile phones have fundamentally changed interpersonal communication and they are also increasingly changing the way we learn. Firms show a growing trend towards using mobile phones and other mobile devices in the process of learning. Many of them are expanding their e-learning platforms from computers to mobile phones, which is not as easy as it might first seem. The British website Training Zone warned against the most common mistakes when implementing m-learning.
Do not underestimate m-learning strategy
Do not start any m-learning project in your company without having a mobile learning strategy clearly stating what devices will be included in the project, which IT systems will be used, whether employees will be able to use their own devices, etc. You really cannot assume your educational content will work on all devices and platforms.
Do not convert ready-made e-learning solutions
Most effective m-learning platforms arose with the intention of creating an educational tool for mobile devices rather than traditional e-learning. Both their structure and design were developed specifically for mobile phones and tablets. This does not involve only the courses' graphics and controls, but mainly the content. While an employee using e-learning usually spends several hours at the computer, an employee who learns via a mobile device needs to obtain new information much faster. A mobile learner will study on the train or while waiting for an appointment.
Do not forget to make full use of mobile devices' functions
A course created for today's mobile devices should not contain only text, images and clickable buttons. In order to engage its users, you should include touch screen, flip screen, videos, GPS, etc. You should also count on the fact that mobile internet may not be as fast as the internet on a standard PC. Multimedia involved in m-learning courses, for example, should be as small as possible. No one will watch a 300 MB video lasting several dozen minutes on a mobile phone.
Do not treat m-learning as a one-off project
Work with continuous feedback from users and improve your m-learning solutions accordingly. You should also watch out for new mobile devices and operating systems appearing on the market. Your courses should not stop working as soon as a new update of Android or iOS is released.
-kk-