Mobile Learning Comes of Age: How and Why Organizations are Moving to Learning on Mobile Devices

Posted 25 October, 2009 - 17:36 by publisher

Mobile Learning Comes of Age: How and Why Organizations are Moving to Learning on Mobile Devices

AUTHOR : Gary Woodill Director, Research and Analysis, Adam Cunningham-Reid, Researcher, and Richard Nantel, CEO and Senior Analyst

Why Mobile Learning is Here to Stay

The United Nations predicts that the global human population will reach about 6.3 billion by the end of 2009. Technology analysts predict that, by then, 2.6 billion mobile phones will be in use. That works out to 41 percent of the global population carrying mobile phones by the end of 2009.

The immense popularity of mobile phones is laying the technological foundation for mobile learning.

A number of business drivers are influencing the adoption of mobile learning. These drivers include the fact that the workforce itself has become much more mobile in the last decade. Training opportunities in the office or requiring classroom facilities are becoming less frequent, and staff members often have little time for formal training or e-learning that requires a computer and an Internet connection. Mobile learning allows businesses to provide training to mobile staff members and to distribute materials quickly. It is also a way to use short periods of time where a staff member is waiting or traveling.

The pace of business change and the need for constantly updated information has increased. Mobile learning is now delivering key data at the point of need. This is particularly relevant for workers who need access to updated product information, pricing details, or other time sensitive information. Mobile learning can be seen as a form of performance support.

The full description of this report is available here:

www.brandon-hall.com/publications/mobilelearning/mobilelearning-comesofage.shtml