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mobilelearning
DoD stakeholders to investigate mobile device proliferation and usage. The results from this preliminary survey were used to help drive conversion, development and deployment decisions for the T.I.P. course. It then created a mobile version that is
entitled "From eLearning to mLearning: The Effectiveness of Mobile Course Delivery" presented at Interservice/Industry Training Simulation and Education Conference. In addition, more than a dozen com-
"Innovation out of the federal
government is now a major catalyst for the overall mobile learning market"
accessible from any mobile device with a browser as well as in native format for Apple and Android devices — all from the same source code and also available in an EPUB format. The course was tested by representatives
of all services. Results of the field tests and focus group study are detailed in a paper
mercial vendors developed a version of one of the six modules using their own tools. As the initial course was built in HTML with Flash interactions, it has been very interesting to see the various methods developers used to replace the original desktop interactivity on mobile devices.
Learning Modules Just-in-Time Learning Microlearning
Reach-back/Review
Access to Information, Education and References Field Guides Presentations Podcasts Updates
Audio/Video Recordings Assessment
Quizzes/Tests Evaluations
Surveys or Polls Reporting
Certification
User-Generated Content Note Taking Transcription Translation
Photos/Videos/Audio Capture 44 November / December 2011 Government Elearning!
Ways Mobile Devices Support Training Performance Support
On-the-Job Support/Job Aids Alerts/Reminders
Procedures Forms and Checklists Decision Support
Collaboration Coaching
Conferencing Feedback Mentoring
Social Networking
Innovative Approaches Games and Simulations Location-Specific Content Augmented Reality
Contextualized Learning Spaced Learning
E-books Textbooks Papers
Manuals or Reference Guides 'AUGMENTED MOBILE'
While mobile learning is not appropriate in all instances, it can be an important part of the total learning and training support infrastructure. The future capa- bilities for education and training with ubiquitous access to connected devices cannot be overestimated. Smartphone growth continues to expand in all areas, which will enable many more opportuni- ties, many of which will spawn from innovations that cannot even be envi- sioned at the present. According to a survey by Gartner, Inc.,
consumers in the United States are more likely to buy a smartphone in 2011 than PCs, mobile phones, e-readers, media tablets and gaming products. In June, the number of active smartphones and wire- less-enabled PDAs in the U.S. had reached 95.8 million, a 57 percent increase over the prior year. In May, Ambient Insight Research deter-
mined that mobile learning products have entered the value-creation phase, a period of a product's lifecycle characterized by innovation and wide adoption via expand- ing distribution channels. Among Ambient Insight's findings were that "innovation coming out of the U.S. federal government is now a major catalyst for the overall mobile learning market." The report also predicted, "In terms of
revenue, consumers, health-care and federal government agencies (particular- ly military agencies) will dominate the market over the forecast period, fol- lowed by corporate buyers." Another interesting statistic was that, "on aver- age, across all the app, e-book and audio book stores, at least 15 percent to 17 percent of all titles are mobile learning apps." The report describes the prolifer- ation and blurring between various types of mobile devices and the expan- sion of wireless technology that sup- ports mobile learning. A.D.L.'s experience and observations
confirm that the development and accept- ance of mobile device features and capa- bilities have skyrocketed. The following are already being used to enhance learning: Augmented Reality (A.R.) – Overlaying
digital data on the real world, such as image recognition of landmarks, provides an enriched experience by displaying