Benefits and Challenges of Mobile Learning in Education

Introduction

In our “information society” education is taking advantage of computer technology which can enhance and improve the teaching and learning process. The traditional classroom, teacher, textbooks, blackboard can no longer satisfy the needs of generations of students used to handling technological tools from a very young age. Mobile phone – the recent and innovative technological device which represents a revolution in education gives the opportunity to learn “in motion”, making the learning process more appealing, interesting and motivating. No generation is more at ease with online, collaborative technologies than today’s young people – “digital natives”, who have grown up in an immersive computing environment. Where a notebook and pen may have formed the toolkit of prior generations, today’s students come to class armed with smart phones, laptops and iPods.

Research outcomes reported in Attewell’s (2005) summary of the 2001 Mlearn project, suggest that the use of mobile learning may have positive contributions to make in the following areas:

• 1.

  Mobile learning help learners to improve their literacy and numeracy skills and to recognise their existing abilities.

• 2.

  Mobile learning can be used to encourage both independent and collaborative learning experiences.

• 3.

  Mobile learning helps learners to identify areas where they need assistance and support.

• 4.

  Mobile learning helps to combat resistance to the use of ICT and can help bridge the gap between mobile phone literacy and ICT literacy.

• 5.

  Mobile learning helps to remove some of the formality from the learning experience and engages reluctant learners.

• 6.

  Mobile learning helps learners to remain focused for longer periods.

• 7.

  Mobile learning helps to raise self-esteem.

• 8.

  Mobile learning helps to raise self-confidence (Attewell, 2005, p. 13).

Tutors who have used M-Learning programs and techniques have the following value statements in favour of M-learning.

• •

  It is important to bring new technology into the classroom.

• •

  Devices used are more lightweight than books and PCs.

• •

  Mobile learning can be used to diversify the types of learning activities students partake in (or a blended learning approach).

• •

  Mobile learning supports the learning process rather than being integral to it.

• •

  Mobile learning can be a useful add-on tool for students with specific needs. However, for SMS and MMS this might be dependent on the students’ specific disabilities or difficulties involved.

• •

  Mobile Learning can be used as a ‘hook’ to re-engage disaffected youth.

M-learning can enhance learning by putting students in a real context and create new learning environments. Students may maximize their acquisition of skills, competencies and optimize their time of studying. Students simply go out of their classroom, offices, they are not compelled to stay in a place with a personal computer/laptop. They learn really and immediately, everywhere, in anytime, while they are walking, travelling, doing their routine actions, and above all in “ in motion”. Mobile technologies are the next step in the evolution of technology-mediated teaching and learning. It not only connects people in information –driven societies effectively, it offers the opportunity for a spontaneous, personal, informal and situated learning. Mobile technologies have sparked the need for the strategies, applications, and resources necessary to support anywhere-anytime connections to formal and situational learning, as well as personal interest explorations(Wagner, 2005). On the other hand, is mobile learning viewed as a technological consideration in delivery systems? Or does it represent a new pedagogy in education? Thomas (2005, p.9) posed the question: “How can this m-learning environment change teaching and learning?”