Mobile learning has become a popular learning method for people all over the world. It's an excellent method for instructors to connect with new people and interact with students at the places they're spending their time using mobile devices.

The average Canadian checks their phone 144 times each day, while the average American checks their phone an insane 344 times per day.

With the increasing integration of technology into their everyday lives, it's no surprise that people are turning to smartphones or tablets as well as laptops to learn. Learning via mobile gives students the flexibility that they've never experienced when they are exploring new abilities, hobbies, trades, as well as careers.

We will look into mobile learning's advantages and disadvantages and consider how m-learning will help your students.

Skip ahead:

•         What exactly is mobile learning (M-learning)?
•         What is some positives of learning on mobile devices?
•         Which are some disadvantages of mobile training?
•         Discover the balance on mobile-based learning

What is mobile learning (M-learning)?

What are the most benefits of mobile learning?

There are many benefits to mobile learning, but we've compiled six. The benefits include flexibility, accessibility and motivation, as well as current content, engagement, and affordability. We'll look into each one a little more below:

    Accessibility    

One of the main advantages of mobile learning is its access. M-learning courses are housed online which means that students have access to their lessons from any location in the world. It makes mobile learning versatile and can help creators reach a much wider audience.

    Flexibility    

Similar to accessibility but distinct, mobile learning offers students the freedom that synchronous or in-person courses can't. Students are able to finish the course whenever it they prefer regardless of whether they prefer working at 12 noon or midnight.

If the course permits, the students are able to take their time learning at their own speed. This offers them even more flexibility as they can take the course in as little as an hour or even a few months.

    Motivation    

Both eLearning and mobile learning employ technologically advanced methods of teaching and evaluation. Interactive quizzes, for instance, and tests are a great way to be gamified to encourage students to make progress by engaging with the content and remember important information.

A motivated and engaged student will be more likely to retain what they've learned , and go home content.

    The Current Content    

Since mobile learning courses are online, they enjoy the amazing benefit of revision. The creators cannot alter physical textbooks, online classes, or even webinars once they've been released. Online courses can.

Online course creators are able to benefit from this feature and update their courses regularly as needed. This can help keep courses relevant and meaningful for students.

    Engagement    

Duolingo is now the most popular app to learn new languages through fun methods, such as microlearning. It gives students bite-sized lessons which can be completed every day.

    Affordability    

Mobile learning courses typically don't require in-person or synchronous instruction They aim to impart a specific technique or attain a single outcome. The scale of mobile courses can be much less expensive than courses that require more staff, maintenance, scheduling, as well as research.

What are the drawbacks from mobile education?

Just like everything else it is true that there are drawbacks to mobile learning that you should consider as well. Students who learn via mobile devices are open to distraction, lack social interaction, rely on technology to much, not provide individualization and leave students with no access to quality technologies. Explore each of these reasons down below:

    Distractions    

One of the advantages of mobile learning in schools is the fact that it demands students to be able to access their material via a smartphone. However, this also means students are much more likely to become distracted.

Students are likely to be receiving text messages, emails as well as social media updates throughout their classes. This can lead to a lack of participation and even completion rates to decline.

    Insufficient social interaction    

The use of M-learning is a way to encourage students to make meaningful connections via the Internet, but does not allow the possibility of meaningful interactions in person.

Although some students might be more comfortable in an isolated and self-paced setting, others might rely on relationships with others to keep them motivated. This may be more apparent when students take courses that require commitment over the long term.

    Reliance on technology    

Similar to e-learning, M-learning relies on the technology. Creators must consider operating system compatibility and optimizing for mobile devices, or they risk making awkward and hard-to-use courses.

Relying on technology can exclude skills that rely on practical experience. For example, artists and mechanics may struggle with mastering real-world skills with no personal feedback and instruction in person.

    Personalization is poor    

Personalized feedback often comes from an individual mentor, class teacher, or co-leader. Despite engaging assessments like interactive quizzes and tests but students are unable to miss out on personal feedback when they're in mobile learning courses making it harder to learn and improve their skills.

    Poor technology    

Although the majority of students have access the latest technologies and reliable internet connections, many do not. Some students may be learning with older tech or have poor internet and electricity access.

It can be a great way to gain an opportunity for education to many, but it can be a barrier to access for students without the necessary equipment for online education. It is important to think about the target market and make sure to create a course that is accessible to them.

Find the perfect balance in mobile learning

What may be a benefit to some might be a disadvantage for some. For example, the extreme flexibility of a self-paced course could be disorienting for certain viewers. It's ultimately up to you to find the ideal balance for your target audience and create your course in line with that.

Regardless, creators can outweigh limitations of mobile learning, and design higher-quality, accessible, and inclusive courses more than they ever have before. With the right content, mobile technology allows you to connect with people around the world to engage students and develop a network of students.

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