1.1. The term m-learning ("mobile learning"), has different meanings for different communities, covering a range of use scenarios including e-learning, educational technology and distance education, that focuses on learning with mobile devices.
1.2. The term M-Learning or Mobile Learning refers to the use of handheld devices such as smartphones, tablets and any other handheld information technology device that many be use in teaching and learning.
2. Overview of m-learning
2.1. E-learning first emerged in the late 80s and in the 90s it moved from heavy desktops to laptops. Since then we have seen the processing power of handheld devices grow exponentially while becoming more affordable and even ubiquitous due to the demand for games, business communications, and in general the connected lifestyle of the wireless society. These things have oppened a new door to learning on the go whch we now call M-Learning.
3. Benefits of m-learning
3.1. Convenience: accessible from anywhere (bus, class, laundry room) to content including quizzes and other assessments, balance sheets and other data, learning games, and other content delivered via apps.
3.2. Collaboration: best learning takes place when we share and get immediate tips and feedback
3.3. Portability: stacks of books are replaced by RAM with learning experiencs customized and connected (Reviwes and summaries chunked for on-the-go access)
3.4. Compatibility: designed learning specially for mobile devices
3.5. Engaging/Fun: combine gaming and learning for a more entertaing and effective experience.
4. What can we do with m-learning?
4.1. Access documets or document libraries
4.2. Access quizzes and self-assessment as question or games
4.3. Participate in lessons and tutorials
4.4. Receive lectures archived or broadcasted live
4.5. Access to video clip or audio libraries
4.6. Read asynchronous postings
4.7. Exhibit student work
4.8. Participate in virtual learning communities on the go
4.9. Interact with apps that are engaging and immersive
5. What technology is currently available for m-learning?
5.1. SMS: Short Message Service allows users to send/receive messages of up to 160 characters between mobile phones (text messaging).
5.2. MMS: Multmedia Messaging Service serves the same purpose as SMS but allows the inclusion of graphics.
5.3. WAP: An international protocol that allows users to access the internet via their WAP enabled mobile phones.
5.4. GPRS: An always on internet conneciton for mobile devices that provides greater speed of connection (171kb/s).
5.5. Bluetooth: A short range wireless connection. This enables devices to communicate with one another.
5.6. 3G and 4G phones: By the end of the decade 4G (4th Generation mobile phones) will provide upto 100 megabits per second transmissions adequate for multimedia.
5.7. PDAs: Personal Digital Assistants have evolved to mini PCs able to carry out many of the basic functions of a larger PC (not as popular now as they were in the early 2000s).
5.8. MP3s: Audio file format that efficiently compresses files and enables them to be shared.
5.9. CAMs: Video cameras now embedded into mobile phone and PDAs.
5.10. Tablets: a mobile computers, usually having a touchscreen. The tablets are typically smaller than a notebook computer but larger than a smartphone.
