Is it time your organisation integrated an m-learning strategy? It's not as hard as you might think. Andrew Jackson explains.
Your learners are requesting it. Your senior managers are demanding it. The pressure is on to deliver a mobile learning solution. If this is your reality right now (or sometime soon), this article will help you with three basic aspects of getting up and running with mobile learning: implementing a system, developing some content and integrating it with existing learning programmes.
What you need from a mobile learning system
To get started with mobile learning, you need a software system to manage, organise and deliver content to your learners on their mobile devices.
The good news. If you work with a learning management system (LMS) already, then understanding and administering a mobile learning management system (mLMS) won't be a challenge. If you have no experience of using an LMS, an mLMS is typically less complex, so it's an easy route to becoming learning management system-savvy.
"If there are features and system aspects you are unclear about, ask for clarification, and continue to ask until you receive an answer in language and terms you understand."What should you look for? How do you avoid introducing the wrong system? If you have these four feature sets covered, you won't go far wrong:
- Scalability: automatic sizing of content to fit a variety of screens sizes
- Compatibility: easy integration with existing systems (see below)
- Security: secure learner log-in, encryption when sending content and control over who accesses what
- Content: most types of content handled, the ability to schedule delivery and to push and pull content.
Other questions you may need to consider:
- Do you want your system provider to host and manage everything (the default option from most providers) or do you want installation on your own servers?
- Do you need a smartphone software application (app) for learners to access content?
- Does any content need to be 'locked' and not transferable between users' phones?
If there are features and system aspects you are unclear about, ask for clarification, and continue to ask until you receive an answer in language and terms you understand. If a provider is really serious about providing 'software as a service', then make sure they are capable of delivering on the promise before you sign on the dotted line.
How it can integrate with existing systems
Most providers of mobile learning systems understand that integration with your existing systems is vital to their system's success and viability. An Application Programming Interface (API) is likely to be the way they achieve this. An API is a set of rules and specifications one software programme can follow to access and use the services provided by another.
An API acts as a straightforward way for two systems to 'talk to each other' and achieve integration. There will certainly need to be a little 'tech talk' between your provider and your IT department, but integrating using an API keeps this conversation simple and reduces the risk of errors and miscommunication.
If your chosen system doesn't have an API, make sure you are clear what the alternative method of integration will be and what kind of work and input will be needed from your side to achieve success.
How to create simple but effective content
If you don't relish the prospect of learning new development software to create mobile learning content, you could be in for a pleasant surprise.
Check if you current elearning system lets you convert existing elearning content into simple bite-sized chunks of mobile learning. If so, your mobile content creation could be as simple as re-purposing your existing elearning content.
Even without this option (or no elearning content to start with) life is still not that problematic. Your chosen mobile learning management system will likely have in-built content development capability; and, independently creating small pieces of content is not so challenging.
All of the following can be created quickly and easily and uploaded into your system in no time: short sets of PowerPoint slides (use font size 34 or above); 2-3 minute 'talking head' videos captured with a Flip camera (or similar); and, podcast-style audio recorded on a laptop or smart phone.
How to use content to support existing learning programmes
The exciting thing about mobile learning is it's a clean slate, ready for you to develop new ways of supporting your existing programmes. Here are some examples that have been tried, tweaked, thoroughly tested and found to work:
Keeping tabs on learning during large-scale training events
Do you run large-scale, multi-day training events for your learners? Are you concerned about the effectiveness or relevance of these events? Use mobile for real-time testing and evaluation of attendees to determine what's being absorbed and what's not. You can adjust the content and agenda of the event accordingly and even provide supplementary sessions on topics that weren't so well received first time around. Also, use mobile to remind attendees of forthcoming sessions, changes to the agenda and re-scheduling of rooms.
A real-world result: an organisation using this approach saw a significant increase on end-of-event test scores and higher positive approval ratings on final attendee evaluations.
Reinforcing learning and skills during and after formal training
Need to get new product information out to employees? During and after formal training, use a variety of mobile learning formats to reinforce key concepts. Also, use quizzes and real-time reporting, to determine if learning is being internalised.
"Use mobile for real-time testing and evaluation of attendees to determine what's being absorbed and what's not. You can adjust the content and agenda of the event accordingly and even provide supplementary sessions on topics that weren't so well received first time around."
A real world result: several organisations using this approach have seen knowledge retention improve on both end-of-course and subsequent tests.
Making using of 'dead time' during the day
Do you have a mobile workforce with 'dead time' during their day? Re-purpose content from existing courses to run on mobile devices. Push out training bites that employees can view on the road during dead time. Track what training has taken place through online, real-time reporting.
A real world result: over twelve months, one organisation using this approach saw employees directing significantly fewer questions to managers about key tasks and processes.
In conclusion, if you focus on making the key elements of a mobile learning system meet your needs, if you are pragmatic about content creation and you apply creativity to integrating it, you’ll be well on your way to producing great results from mobile learning.
Andrew Jackson is co-founder of Pacific Blue, specialists in developing innovative learning solutions for clients. To find out more about how to use mobile learning in your organisation click here
