• the provision of two-way communication via a computer network.
Learners can study course materials from their computer screen and have no need to be physically present in a class room; no time and location restrictions apply to limit the learning experience.
2.4
Mobile Learning (m-learning)
e-learning depend much on the availability of wired network connection to get access to learning materials, this kind of services still considered as a limitation among learners who are constantly on the move. In order to overcome the continuing change of learner location, there is a great demand to make use of wireless networking technologies which can provide learning content at anytime and anywhere. Mellow [102] explains that m- learning is ”a means to enhance the broader learning experience, [it] is not a primary method for delivering courses/distance learning”.
The main difference between e-learning and m-learning is that the first takes place in front of a computer or in internet labs, while the second takes place at any location [123].
In [12], the author listed some of the benefits of m-learning: • helps learners to improve their literacy,
• helps learners to identify the areas where they need assistance and support, • helps to remove some of the formality from learning experience and engage re-
luctant learners, and
• helps learners to remain focused for long periods and helps to raise self-esteem and self-confidence.
2.4. Mobile Learning (m-learning) 17
The move from wired to wireless services has a big impact at learning activity and it is very evident that the use of mobile learning technologies and services has many potential implications on learning process such as Accessibility, Context, Collaboration and Appeal.
• Accessibility: Providing mobile learning services in an educational environment can help learners access their learning materials very easily regardless the location and time. This advantage is not limited to location and time but also the devices required to access mobile networks are relatively inexpensive compared to laptop or desktop computers [13].
• Context : Dey, Abowd and Salber [45] define context as ”any information that can be used to characterize the situation of an entity. An entity is a person, place, or object that is considered relevant for the interaction between a user and an application, including the user and the application themselves”. The awareness of learning context is important. A learning system should adapt the learning process in response to context change.
• Collaboration: m-learning also allows the collaboration to happen among learn- ers regardless of their location because of the accessibility of mobile networks services. Learners can discuss some learning tasks by interacting with other learners using mobile device.
• Appeal : Taking control over learning activities using mobile devices sounds ap- pealing to learners, the main interest here is not the device but in the ability to learn ”anytime” and ”anywhere”. Savill-Smith found a correlation between the use of palmtop computers and the increase in students’ motivation [120].
New advanced mobile telephones are capable of exchanging voice, text, pictures and video, facilitated by wireless networks that provide high-speed connections with low
2.4. Mobile Learning (m-learning) 18
Flexible Learning
Contact Learning (residential / face to face)
Distance Learning E-Learning
Online Learning M-Learning
Paper-Based Distance Learning
Figure 2.1: The Subsets of Flexible Learning [28].
costs to mobile users. In the presence of wireless technology, mobile learning can provide an alternative solution to the limitations of e-learning (see Figure 2.1).
Mobile learning is the ability to deliver learning content anytime, anywhere through the use of mobile devices. Mobile learning is also referred to as the intersection of mobile computing and e-learning to produce an anytime, anywhere learning experience. Mobile learning (m-learning) is defined as ”any sort of learning that happens when the learner is not at a fixed, predetermined location, or learning that happens when the learner takes advantage of learning opportunities offered by mobile technologies” [144]. Lehner [90], explained that m-learning refer to ”any service or facility that supplies a learner with general electronic information and educational content that aids in the acquisition of knowledge regardless of location and time”.
The concept of mobile learning is defined under four categories [124] : Technocen- tric, Relationship to e-learning, Augmenting Formal Education, and Learner-centred.
2.4. Mobile Learning (m-learning) 19
• Technocentric: In this perspective, m-learning is defined as learning that takes place via such wireless devices as mobile phones, personal digital assistants (PDAs), or laptop computers.
• Relationship to e-learning: In this perspective, m-learning is defined as subset or extension of e-learning.
• Augmenting Formal Education: In this perspective, m-learning is defined as a form of distance education; m-learning is not only in classrooms, but also in all forms of traditional learning.
• Learner-centred : In this perspective, m-learning is defined as the focuses on the mobility of the learner rather than the device, any sort of learning that happens when the learner is not a fixed, predetermined location [109].
In [40], the author listed some unique characteristics of m-learning that differentiate m-learning from other learning forms:
• Urgency of Learning Need : The use of mobile for an urgent matter of learning • Initiative of Knowledge Acquisition: The learner can access the learning content
on the move and demand using wireless network.
• Mobility of Learning: The ”anywhere” and ”anytime” learning due to the large coverage of the wireless networks.
• Interactivity of the Learning Process: Learner can easily communicate with his tutors, classmates, or other materials using the mobile devices.
• Situating of Instructional Activity: The learning activities can be adapted to fit the learner context.
2.4. Mobile Learning (m-learning) 20
• Integration of Instructional Content : Integrating many information resources to fit the learner context.
Researchers have suggested that m-learning can enhance the learning experience through collaborative learning; however, there are many obstacles to successfully implement- ing any significant m-learning applications. The e-learning concept is well designed, implemented and tested and there are many standard applications in use today. To transform e-learning application success to m-learning will not be completely applica- ble due to many limitations such as device and network. To tackle this issue, there is a great need to understand the way in which learner uses the mobile phone and make use of that to design an effective m-learning application.
Some of the major obstacles related to the use of m-learning are limited interface, memory, battery life and storage, different kind of mobile connectivity, cross-platform, the lack of integration of some mobile application to mobile technology environment and no standardisation in term of mobile technology development.
There are many similarities between m-learning and e-learning such as: • Both are concerned with on-line learning content.
• Learners, authors, the administrator and tutors are the main participants in both m-learning and e-learning environments.
• Both are trying to provide a personalised learning experience for learners. • A learning coordination tool is required in order to allow interaction between
participants.
While there are similarities in relation to the technological environments of m-learning and e-learning, significant differences also exist. Specifically, m-learning carries a range of prerequisites related to devices, connectivity limitations, service providers and mo- bile content limitations.
2.4. Mobile Learning (m-learning) 21
Nowadays, there is a wide range of mobile phone devices available in the market like PDA, Smart Phones and multimedia players. All of these devices have some common constraints, such as limited input capabilities, small screen, limited memory and limited battery life.
The bandwidth offered by the mobile networks providers is low for an extensive use of internet and expensive at the same time compared to fixed line internet services. Each mobile network has different communication networks around the world (e.g. GSM, GPRS, 3G and CDMA).
Service provider is a vital part of any mobile phone due to its restrictions on the way the users can use their phones. For example, user can’t access other network if the phone is subscribed to a specific network provider. Moreover, mobile phone manufactures are very strict in term of security policies. For example, some phone manufactures dose not allows third party software to run without approval.
A m-learning application needs to consider the above mentioned limitations while preparing the learning content. Creating unified learning content to fits all the above limitations is a very challenging task. Therefore the learning content author has to consider the target devices and their supported presentation programs to automatically adapt learning content based on the learner device. The learning content can be found in more forms like images and multimedia which are not normally supported by the mobile devices. The learning content design will be discussed in more details in Chapter 4.
The m-learning system need to maintain the learning content so that learners can access learning content per request over the Internet. In addition, the structure of the learning content should enable learners to enhance their learning skills and experience which depends on many factors like learners preference, behaviour and how learning content is structured, built and processed.