Mobile Learning
Ray Pastore, Ph.D.
University of North Carolina
Wilmington
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Introduction
 This presentation addresses mobile learning
by discussing the design and development of
mobile apps and websites
 Describes mobile web development in the
Master’s level Instructional Technology
program at the University of North Carolina
Wilmington
 Shows examples of some of the mobile
websites students are developing
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Defining Mobile Learning
 Stevens and Kitchenham (2011) define
mobile learning as
“the use of a wireless handheld device; a
cell phone, personal digital assistant (PDA),
mini-computer, or iPod to engage in some
form of meaningful learning (p.3)”.
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What are Mobile Application?
 Can be downloaded directly onto a mobile device using the
application store on the mobile device or can be downloaded from a
computer (i.e. Apple iTunes) and connected to a mobile device
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What are Mobile Websites?
 Mobile websites also known as Mobile web applications
are custom built sites designed and developed to be
accessed via the mobile device.
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Mobile Apps vs Mobile Websites
Apps





Need to be installed
Can be on OS
Device dependent
May cost money
Can use phone
features (gps etc.)
 Do NOT require
internet
Websites
 Can be used on any
phone with internet
 Not on OS
 free (for the most
part)
 Need to open
browser
 Difficulty accessing
phone features
(GPS etc).
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Limitations of Mobile Web
 Accessing the web from mobile devices
a large number of limitations
 Small screen size
 lack of multiple windows
 navigation
 lack of javascript (browser dependent)
and cookies
 types of pages accessible
 speed
 broken and compressed pages
 size of messages
 cost involved
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Developing on a Mobile Device
 Google's Android
Java
Programming
 Other Options?
Android
 Apple's iOS:
iPod/iPhone/iPad
C, C++
Apple
Google App Inventor
Flash
HTML
HTML
All phones (apple,
android, blackberry,
windows)
HTML – HTML5
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Being used in education for
 to view or send content or email
 participate in discussion forums
 submit and view assignments
 send/receive feedback
 enrolling in courses (higher ed)
 communication
 texting
 emergency warning systems
 CMS/LMS
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Being used in corporations/gov for
 Everything on the previous slide plus….
Gaming
Simulations
Full courses
Flash based content
HTML5 based content
*This is where education is headed and
Education innovators are already doing
this
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Study 1
 Mobile learning is in it's infancy
 Research on mobile use and design is just
starting to emerge
 Much of this research focuses on mobile use
rather than mobile devices for learning
 The purpose of this study was to examine
students perceptions of developing and using
instruction for the mobile web
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Methods
 Study took place at the University of North
Carolina Wilmington
 Instructional Technology graduate students
 Design
Interviews (6 Students interviewed - semi
structured interviews)
Observations (Graduate Class observed)
Role of observer: Instructor
Survey (Survey on mobile use, learning, and
satisfaction)
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Case
 Computer Based Instruction course at UNCW
 Develop mobile based instruction via Dreamweaver
 Students were web development novice
 Students were presented lesson on web and mobile
development using Dreamweaver (3 Class periods)
 They were asked to read several articles on mobile
learning
 Assignment
 10 minute instructional tutorials to be developed for
smartphones
 Published to UNCW webspace
 Tested sites on iPod touches
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Example Screens
http://www.uncw.edu/ed/mit/studentprojects.html
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Findings survey: Web to Mobile
Web

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


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Many columns/tables->1 Column
Defined Width->% Width
High speed->3G/4G
Data Usage problems
Large Screens->small screens
Keyboard->touch screen/small keyboard
Html->wml | html/flash>html/html5/c++/Java/flash
 Very compatible ->Device type (unless HTML)
 Plug ins->limited
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Sample quotes from interviews

"I think the differences from going from that where
you use a keyboard and a mouse to the touch is that
you realize how big your fingers are and just a link is
not going to be very effective anymore. You need big
buttons. You need to direct the learner on where
they need to touch to go to the next screen. There is
really no pop ups, no imbedded flash type things, its
like going from one screen to the next. It seems very
linear. “

"I don’t know that you’re going to be able to do a lot
other than just quick reference job aids. I’m not sure
you’d want to have a whole instructional system
through the, for the iPhone, though maybe,, a
SmartPhone. You could do it for maybe tablets, but
again you’ve got some Flash limitations. So I would
think that job aids and things that you can learn
quickly are the realm of smart phone development."
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Study 2
 In the process of developing methodology
 Goal: To test Mayer’s multimedia theories
 Currently no recommendations, with
research backing, on designing
training/instruction via mobile devices
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Conclusion
 We are finding significant differences for Computer
based training design and Mobile based design
 We are doing a lot with mobile learning in our program
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
Mobile learning course this summer
Mobile instruction development in Computer based instruction
Mobile game development in gaming and simulation class
Mobile interface development in computer interface
design
Book chapter published
Paper with techtrends in press
Another research paper being sent out soon
Study 2 in planning stages
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Questions?
 Presentation can be found at my blog@
 http://raypastore.com/wordpress/2012/05/
presentation-on-mobile-learning/
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References

Ally, M. (2009). Mobile Learning: Transforming the delivery of education and
training, AU Press

Baird, P. & Whitear, C. (2006). Mobile charting with Flash Lite 2: Designing for the
mobile device interface. Adobe mobile and device developer center.
http://www.adobe.com/devnet/devices/articles/fl2_charting_components.html

Bradley, C., Haynes, R., Cook, J., Boyle, T. & Smith, C. (2009). Design and
development of multimedia learning objects for mobile phones. In A. Mohamed
(Ed.), Mobile learning: Transforming the delivery of education and training (pp. 157181). dmonton, Canada: Athabasca University Press.

Gahran, A. (2011). What’s a mobile app? Retrieved online from
http://www.contentious.com/2011/03/02/whats-a-mobile-app/

Griffin, G. (2011). Ten tips for designing mobile learning content. Learning solutions
magazine. Retrieved online from
http://www.learningsolutionsmag.com/articles/700/ten-tips-for-designing-mobilelearning-content
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References

Pierre, M., & Diamantini, D. (2009). From E-learning to Mobile
Learning: New Opportunities. In M. Ally (Ed.), Mobile learning:
Transforming the delivery of education and training (pp. 247–
264).

Quin, C. (2000). mLearning: Mobile, Wireless, In-Your-Pocket
Learning.

Quinn, C. (2011). Designing mLearning: tapping into the
mobile revolution for organizational performance, Pfeiffer
Publishing, USA

Stevens, D. and Kitchenham, A. (2011). An analysis of mobile
learning in education, business and medicine. In Kitchenham
(Ed.) Models for Interdisciplinary Mobile Learning: Delivering
Information to Students, IGI publication. Pp. 1 – 25

Traxler (2009) Current state of mobile learning . In M. Ally
(Ed.), Mobile learning: Transforming the delivery of education
and training (pp. 247–264).
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