#iel11 Designing Mobile Learning

Presentation: Designing Mobile Learning
Presenter: Clark Quinn

The limits are no longer in technology - it is in our imaginations.

How do we leverage technology for the way we really learn?

Internet Time Alliance

Not about "learning"
- We learn to be able to do things we can't do now.
- new performance

From the ability to have information at hand when need it.

Much of our formal learning - designed for novices.
- lets meet the needs of the folks beyond the novice.
- Experts need the info. May not need the package. May need other experts to CREATE the new knowledge
- Support throughout the trajectory

Develop performance eLearning
- NOT just content on the web. NOT just webinar.
- What about performance support? Tools?
- Community????
- From learner's perspective - aim for integrated whole.

Content - for broader distribution
- MObile - deliver whenever and wherever are
- Mobile layer on top of our social media systems

Goal - support path from novice > practitioner > expert where at

Why mobile?
- In developing world, we've reached saturation. Everyone has mobile phone. For many - only access to internet.
- Will overtake PCs for connection to internet.
- Feature phones being replaced by smartphones

72% of the workforce is mobile. (Do you go on site visits? Conferences? Still need to stay in touch? Meetings? Guess what - you are mobile)

(Amazing - EVERYONE recognizes QR code. Last year - very few)

So much conversion. Devices are going / have all these features.
- new ways of input and varied (keyboard, touch, trackwheel)
- Varied output - vibration, audio, text, video
- All have way of connecting to the world
- Increasing way to sense world around them (mics, GPS, Camera, Sensors etc)
- Document editing, games, communication, time, data collection, media play, games, content display

You are accessorizing your brain.

These capabilities not unique to mobile. How you use them unique.
- Handheld, use frequently but not for long
- PC - use a long time but not frequently

This has implications for design.
- NOT about courses on phone.
- Very short and sweet.

We are tool users. Adapt environment to us vs. adapt us to environment
- We want to extend our mental capabilities as well.

Our brains - great at pattern matching. Suck at rote stuff.

If we augment ourselves with rote processing capability - we can do a much better job of problem-solving.
- This is not unique to mobile.
- Mobile provides anywhere / anytime.

4 cs of mobile
- Content (stuff to consume)
- Compute (calculators, interactive decision support)
- Capture (voice, camera, video - unique to mobile. Can capture local context)
- Communication (texting, voice)

Mobile learning about augmentation
- Solve problems
- Augment formal learning (not replacement). Extend

What about text messaging?
- Flood management simulation - all text messages.

Gotta stop thinking EVERYTHING is a course.

What should I do differently that I can now take advantage of.
- Low hanging fruit ok, but the interesting area is in thinking differently.

Real opportunity in extending the learning experience
- Formal learning is generally event based model.
- But if we can find a way to space it out - more likely to learn
- Retention over time, not achieved through event

Thalheimer - Spacing Learning Events Over Time

We have an opportunity to make learning that sticks!

Mobile also speaks to online learning in general
- Learn at our own pace and best time
- We can reactivate chunks as needed

We err too much on rote knowledge test. Sometimes needed, but only if you need to know something cold.

Prefer scenarios - how do things go weird.

Mobile (and eLearning in general) - don't need full sentences.

Performance Support - break it down. Top level steps, sub steps. What questions do you ask yourself?
- Also reminders.

Model of informal learning. Act in the world where you can, break down, repair, reflect, act again.

Stage 1 - Pull answer off shelf (google or whatever)
Stage 2 - active problem solving. May want to populate the space and share.
+ Don't forget the share step
Stage 3 - information update (reflection)

(currently envying those who doesn't have slow twitter camera pic load. Ugh.)

How do we use tools to meet new needs, not just existing needs.

GPS - as needed performance support. Monitors performance every step of the way. If off course, adapts and gives you new solution. Has audiory channel.
- Why don't we do more of this?
- Does this help you learn? (debate - are you motivated to learn? May impact how you process and pay attention to the performance support.)

Don't forget about social
- Jane Bozarth goes to twitter before google because your twitterati know you and what you are looking for better.
- Also Skype (can keep this open all the time if you have developed thinking)

Augmented reality - can do scavengers hunt. Can layer information on top of the world.
- (Hey boss - what about the Tech Corridor as augmented reality game)

Opportunities limitless
- How we REALLY learn in real world
- How we PERFORM in the real world

We have to understand the technology we have.
- What are we going to do with them?