Posted by Mobile Learning Solutions: the concept is relatively new, which makes it a vulnerable topic for hearsay and misconceptions. A device which has so far been used mostly for communication and recreation is getting a lot of push to be used as an effective medium of learning. However, given the inherent characteristics and form of mobile, careful planning needs to go into designing content in order for it to serve its purpose.
Here are some top myths and misconceptions that might be boggling you before you can decide whether to take your learning content mobile or not:
- mLearning can replace ILT and eLearning: Absolutely not! With so much hullabaloo about using mobiles for learning, it is easy to fall prey to this myth. mLearning exists to support your good old instructor-led training and eLearning modules, not to replace it. An ideal learning environment in any organization is one that synthesizes a number of different approaches in order to create high impact learning, i.e. a blended learning environment. Since new work schedules are much more time-constrained and the generation more techno-savvy, the idea is not to overthrow the traditional styles of learning, rather to complement them with ways that present people with innovative learning platforms and help them choose what suits them best.
- mLearning if implemented will create distractions: Well, if you think your employees are never checking their mobiles for emails, social media, news or shopping, you’re probably a wishful thinker! Instead of swimming against the tide by trying to curb the usage of mobile phones at work, it is better to use it to your advantage by putting a clear implementation plan in place. Creating a motivating learning environment is crucial to drive competency and mLearning can provide useful support to this. How? Say, you design short quizzes to assess the results of your ILT program. Different employees complete these quizzes and the scores they earn are added on their profiles on the social learning network of your company. Such an integrated system where they can compare their performance against others is sure to boost competitive spirit.
- mLearning poses a threat to security: Some concerns regarding security of mobiles are valid, particularly because mobiles keep getting lost or stolen more easily than a laptop or PC, thus leaving confidential company data vulnerable. However, security solutions like encryption, password protection and remote erasing of data can reduce the threats to security.
- mLearning involves a smaller screen and is thus ineffective: People! Again, it is important to remember that mLearning is not meant for delivering bulk learning content. It is just meant to augment your existing learning program to subtly blur the lines between work, learning and fun. It’s very utility lies in being the swift, rub-the-lamp genie of knowledge for your workforce.
- Creating mobile content is a cumbersome and expensive task: Not true. With several mobile learning authoring tools like Lectora Inspire, Adobe Captivate and Sencha Animator (just to name a few), you can easily create and integrate interactive multimedia learning content for the small screen. Think of the dividends it will pay in the long run!
