Mobile
The ADL Mobile Learning Team strives to be the source of information and support for DoD mobile learning initiatives. Effective usage of handheld devices can bring us closer to improved personalized learning—the right learning resources and performance aids, to the right person at the right time and place. The Mobile Learning capability supports both the NEXT GENERATION LEARNING ENVIRONMENT and NEXT GENERATION LEARNER of ADL’s research and development strategies.
The future capabilities for education and training with ubiquitous access to connected devices cannot be overestimated. Smart phone growth continues to expand in all areas, which will enable many more opportunities, many of which will spawn from innovations that cannot even be envisioned.
Driven by improved software, improved hardware, and changing habits of mobile device users; the opportunities have increased significantly for military training tailored to individuals at their moment of need. While mobile learning is not appropriate in all instances, we believe that it should be considered as an important part of the total learning and training support infrastructure.
To ADL, mobile learning is defined as the use of handheld computing devices to provide access to learning content and information resources. The ubiquity of these devices and the instant connections make them powerful tools for support at the moment of need. They can be used for performance support; microlearning; as reach-back or access to job aids; and provide reminders or updates of important changes.
Want to stay up-to-date on Mobile Technology in Learning? Subscribe to our free weekly e-mail newsletter by contacting adlmobile@adlnet.gov!
The Mobile Learning Team researches, prototypes and tests mobile-capable platforms for their ability to provide enhanced performance and efficient/effective training in DoD. The team reviews, complies and disseminates information and guidance on the use of mobile devices.
Newsletter
The ADL Mobile Team delivers a weekly newsletter every Monday morning at 9:00 Eastern time. It includes articles from the past seven days on mobile learning plus mobile technology technical news and announcements that could affect or influence mobile learning opportunities. Additionally general resources that have been brought to our attention in the past week about mobile learning and for developers are included. Subscribe (free) by contacting adlmobile@adlnet.gov. Archived newsletters from June 2010 until the present are available.
ADL mLearning Guide and ADL Mobile Learning Handbook
The Mobile Team released its mobile version of the ADL mLearning Guide in June 2011. This quick overview guide offers basics, planning information, learning content tips and suggestions, development options, design considerations, a glossary and other resources available on a mobile device. Details on the multiple versions can be found on the project page:
Guide for mobile device: http://mlearn.adlnet.gov
Downloadable (for mobile platforms) versions can be found at: https://adlmobile.wikispaces.com/Guide
A full and more complete, living version of the ADL Mobile Learning Handbook is available at http://mlhandbook.adlnet.gov
Survey of DoD Mobile Landscape
The mobile team investigated the proliferation and usage of mobile devices by a wide range of DoD stakeholders. The survey asked about:
- DoD concerns related to using mobile devices
- Most commonly used mobile device platforms by DoD stakeholders
- Use of DoD Learning Management System (LMS) environments supporting mobile delivery
- DoD stakeholders’ attitudes regarding use of mobile devices for mandatory training versus desktop computer-based training
The results from this survey will be used to help drive the conversion, development, and deployment decisions of future mobile learning content. These survey results will also be used to spur discussion and generate new ideas within the DoD learning community regarding challenges associated with mobile deployment given the current landscape.
Implementing SCORM in Mobile Learning
The ADL Mobile Learning Team investigated the current challenges and strategies associated with implementing SCORM in mobile learning. There are several technical challenges associated with deploying SCORM content because the current communication protocol and model used in SCORM is based on the use of a desktop browser.
Many adopters of SCORM are in need of a more lightweight mobile-friendly version of SCORM that can be deployed on mobile devices. There are very few existing technologies that can be leveraged as alternatives, rather than waiting for SCORM to be updated. There are several use cases of mobile SCORM implementations, but the community is looking for an update to SCORM to support mobile delivery as well as best practices for implementation and guidance from ADL.
The existing research provides the following:
- Current mobile learning initiatives that use SCORM
- Best practices for developing SCORM content for mobile devices
- Which technologies are available when implementing SCORM for mobile devices
- Challenges and strategies for deploying Mobile SCORM content to multiple mobile platforms
- About the differences in packaging and distributing content as a mobile Web app versus a native app
Converting Existing Courses to Mobile Format
The Mobile Learning Team conducted an empirical study that investigated the conversion and delivery of an existing DoD-wide eLearning course, “Trafficking In Persons (TIP) General Awareness Training”, to a mobile format. The team deployed the training content and measured user feedback as a field experiment to volunteers in each of the DoD services. The results of this research provided both quantitative and qualitative results, including learner performance and overall satisfaction with the mobile course.
A paper describing these results has been submitted to I/ITSEC. It discusses the challenges and broad concerns pertaining to mLearning course delivery in military education and training. It addresses the following questions:
- Should military training materials be delivered on a mobile device, and if so, what device types, browsers and platforms can be used?
- If military personnel were given the option to complete their annual mandatory computer-based training on a mobile device, would they do it?
- What other approaches and enhancements should be considered for the delivery of mLearning content in the military?
In addition to the complete conversion of TIP for delivery to mobile browsers, one of the six modules was recreated by outside experts using a variety of mLearning tools and instructional approaches. These variations showcased alternatives in user interface design, delivery, and granularity of the original training content.
Mobile Access to Supplemental Learning Objects (MASLO)
ADL, through a BAA with the Academic ADL Co-Lab will develop a platform that advances mobile learning by allowing instructors to easily create course content for mobile devices. This platform will be easy to navigate so that instructors will not need a technical or programming background to make their course content accessible for students’ on their mobile devices. Please visit the MASLO Project Site for more information.
Information for Mobile Learning Practitioners
The purpose of the ADL Mobile Learning Handbook is to provide a universal resource on all topics pertinent to mobile learning. ADL cannot endorse specific tools, but would like to work with all who are interested in enhancing this mobile resource. Please visit the Information for Mobile Learning Practitioners Project Site for more information.
TIP Mobile Compliance Course (Applied Research)• Complete •
What types of content can be delivered on a mobile device? What types of content should be available on a mobile device? The ADL Mobile Team set out to conduct some applied research with a compliance course to better answer these questions. Please visit the TIP Mobile Compliance Course Project Site for more information.
Opens in a New window to Slideshare.net
Mobile Article for ATSD’s T&D
Presentation by ADL at mLearnCon – June 2011
Presentation by partipating vendors at mLearnCon – June 2011
Presentation by ADL at I/ITSEC, November 2011
Mobile Article for ATSD’s T&D
Presentation by ADL at mLearnCon – June 2011
Presentation by partipating vendors at mLearnCon – June 2011
Presentation by ADL at I/ITSEC, November 2011
There are many ways to get involved with the ADL Mobile Team:
- Subscribe to the Weekly Mobile Learning Newsletter by emailing adlmobile@adlnet.gov
- Follow @adlmobile on Twitter
- Participate in Workshops or Mobile Working Group (Schedule)
What is mobile learning (mLearning)?
ADL defines mobile learning as the use of handheld or wearable computing devices to provide access to learning content and information resources. The ubiquity of these devices and their instant connectivity make them powerful tools for assistance at the moment of need. They can be used for performance support; microlearning; as reach-back or access to job aids; and provide reminders or updates of important changes.
When did ADL get involved with mobile learning?
ADL has followed the mobile learning industry over the years, and in July 2009 began looking at it strategically to meet the learning needs of the military. At this time ADL established the ADL Mobile Learning Team, a team dedicated to development and research in the mobile learning field.
How is mLearning different than eLearning?
In addition to the hardware used for delivery, mLearning differs from eLearning or CBT in that mobile learning generally entails accessing more focused instruction or information more often instantaneously over a shorter duration. It can be personalized and can include data collection or user-generated content. Mobile learning is not about devices, but capabilities. It’s about the experience—not the technology.
It comes in various forms including short courses or microlearning, reach-back to physical course materials in the form of audio or video capture, decision support, job aids or reminders, access to coaches or mentors, study aids, test preparation, updates and alerts, location-based services, or ready access to information and reference. Mobile delivery is a viable option to deploy the spacing effect by delivering learning in short segments over a period of time for improved retention of learning.
Why is mobile learning important?
Mobile learning is important for a number of reasons. It can be inexpensive when compared to traditional learning (and even some forms of e-learning), and it is as far-reaching as there are people with mobile devices. The effective use of mobile technology brings us closer to personalized learning than ever before—the right learning resources and performance aids, to the right person at the right time and place.
What is classified as a mobile device?
ADL defines handheld computing devices as those that are easily carried in a pocket or pouch, turn on instantly, have connection capabilities although not always connected, and have self-sustaining power. The rationale for not including laptops is that no differentiation needs to be made in the development of learning materials because they support the same desktop browsers for delivery of the content. Mobile devices usually require different design principles, entail user interaction, and offer additional capabilities to enhance learning or performance support.
The use of mobile devices for learning or support may not be the best choice in all instances. Factors such as security, ruggedness, connectivity, screen size, input options, and battery life must be considered. In some cases for support at the moment of need, however, it may be the best available option. The penetration of mobile devices within our daily lives can and should be leveraged for new learning opportunities and enhancing military readiness.
Where can I get more information?
E-mail us at adlmobile@adlnet.gov
Team
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Mobile Learning Team Lead- Jason HaagJason’s background is in learning systems, web technology, and standards. Prior to joining the Advanced Distributed Learning (ADL) Initiative, he spent eight years supporting the U.S. Navy’s eLearning program in both engineering and management roles. He is currently employed by The Tolliver Group, Inc. and provides Systems Engineering and Technical Analysis (SETA) support for the ADL, sponsored by the Office of the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense (Readiness). He took on the duties of ADL’s Mobile Team Lead in 2012. Jason’s primary focus is mobile learning (mLearning), mobile device platforms & technology, and best practices for implementation. His professional affiliations include serving as chair of the DoD ADL (DADL) Working Group, member of the IEEE Education Society, IEEE Learning Technology Standards Committee (LTSC), and member of the eLearning Guild. He is also a frequent speaker at industry events. Jason received his M. Ed. from the University of West Florida where he specialized in Education & Training Management and Instructional Technology. |
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Marcus BirtwhistleMobile Learning Team |
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