Whether you’re the proud parent of a university student or a high school learner, a smartphone or tablet is one of the most powerful learning tools your child has at their disposal. While it’s not a substitute for classroom-based learning or formal coursework, digital learning opens a lot of new doors for the curious.
Mobile learning gives everyone access to online courses, improving learning possibilities for people who have time constraints or work on the move. Furthermore, it opens access to a wealth of learning resources, many of them free or affordable.
For National Online Learning Day (15 September) Alcatel looks into the key benefits of mobile learning.
Many older teens struggle to find time to study or embark on formal courses because of hectic lives and busy personal calendars. Mobile learning lets you learn on the go, self-paced and at times it suits you. You can pick up your course or learning materials in your spare moments.
There is a wealth of educational apps, websites and other resources for learners and students that cost nothing or next-to-nothing, lowering the barriers to learning. Udemy and Coursera are just two examples of great sources of learning materials. The offerings range from in-depth courses, with professional certifications, to short lessons that let you refresh your knowledge or learn a skill relatively fast.
Delivering training via mobile can improve knowledge retention by using techniques such as video and gamification to break content into smaller, bitesize chunks. Furthermore, it may let you practice new skills as you learn them or test yourself on the go via quizzes and other interactive content.
Mobile learning platforms offer a range of interactive and social features that help improve engagement with learning materials. For example, many platforms create communities where you can meet other people to share learning and discuss insights. Gamification features (e.g. in-app badges and leader boards) give you goals to work towards and spur healthy competition.
Mobile learning gives you the freedom to learn your way. If you learn best by listening, follow the lesson video or podcast. For hands-on learning, dig into some practical examples or work through some tests and quizzes. Or simply read the materials on your screen. Plus, you can choose the content and lesson modules that are most relevant to you rather than necessarily needing to follow a structured course that covers stuff you know already or isn’t relevant to you.
