Mobile Learning = Learner Engagement

“Anyone who stops learning is old, whether at twenty or eighty.  Anyone who keeps learning stays young.” Henry Ford

There was an era when a person could expect a job to last a lifetime.  But this era is now long past and long over.  Today, the average worker changes jobs ten to fifteen times during the span of his or her career. And while there are many reasons for these frequent changes, there is one common denominator required – the desire to learn.  And in this modern era of technology, current and future employees have a wide range of learning content and platforms to choose from.

The latest form of training and education is Mobile Learning, also known as mLearning.  This type of learning is done via a personal mobile device and provides constant and continuous access to the learning process.  And according to a recent vlog posted by Isaac Tolpin, Co-Founder at ConveYour.com, mLearning is killing current Learning Management Systems, and for good reasons.

In fact, here are the top five reasons he lists as to why mobile learning is taking over higher education, specifically:

1.mLearning is personal. 

FOMO (Fear of Missing Out) exists and is defined by the feelings of anxiety social media users suffer when an exciting or interesting event may be happening elsewhere, at that moment, and they are not there. By creating learning platforms for mobile devices, trainers and instructors can leverage the FOMO principle to encourage active and dynamic participation.  Truly, people love to quickly respond and have two-way engagement.

2.No user friction.

A simple and beautiful platform on a familiar and convenient device is a natural sell for any reluctant learner.  And digital user friction is major problem because it leads to bouncing, reduces conversions, and frustrates your end user so they abandon their goals and tasks.

Jeremy Smith, a Conversion Expert specializing in online marketing, shared ConversionXL’s description of friction that consisted of two components:

Length: fatigue, irritation or aggravation caused by forms or processes that ask for more time or information than feels reasonable

Difficulty: poor usability, asking questions people don’t know the answers to, insufficient product information, etc.

Again, a simple design for a small screen is best, like one idea per screen in bite-sized modules and easy navigation.

3.Real time messaging.

Instructors can create an authentic one-to-one connection with the learner.  An article on ezTalks shared a list of the advantages of instant messages for business, many of which easily transfer to higher education.  Advantages like Real-Time Communication, Cost Savings, Convenience, Team Building, Archiving, and Spam Reduction.

4.Micro = retention.

We are driving smaller pieces of content that match our attention spans.  Mobile Learning courses are designed to be completed in bite-sized modules, in short bursts of time.  As stated on the ConveYour website, the company uses micro-learning techniques to help “…you convey-your content in a more effective way, remixing it into a fun, addicting experience.”

5.mLearning is relevant.

Your content is relevant when you embrace engagement and new possibilities.  While eLearning was once considered cutting edge, learners are no longer tethered to their desks all day.  Learning is now delivered on hand-held devices so information can be consumed on the go.  And although eLearning and mLearning are frequently used synonymously, learning designers must understand the differences.

Learner engagement leads to learner empowerment.  Share your ideas anywhere, at any time, and help your learners stay young too.

Keeping this short and sweet,

Tony, the AV guy