Lifelong Learning supported by Mobile Technologies

Anupam AshishS. M. Fahad Aizaz

Why Lifelong Learning?

What is Lifelong Learning?

• Continuous building of skills and knowledge acquisition• Formal and informal education, life experiences• Improve knowledge, skills and competence with a personal,

civic, social employment-related perspective. • Characteristics

– The process is continuous through- out one’s life– No specific age group– Entail programs that are pursued during a lifetime– Philosophical approach

Models of Lifelong Learning• Formal Learning

– School, university, military training– Learner has little control over the process

• Non-formal Learning– Individual decides what to learn– How is decided by the organizer– Partial Control

• Informal Learning– Learner decides how is to be learned

• Self directed– Individual decide what and how of learning– Targeted mostly for adults

Mobile Technology and Learning• Internet has evolved into a universal platform to communicate

and share information • Massive development in cellular

communication technologies• Location is not static

– Support for mobility• Are these devices capable of

incorporating a Learning environment?• m-Learning project from ECIST

– Envisage the potential of mobile devices for learning – Targeted reluctant young adult learners with poor literacy or

numeracy

Different Learning Methodologies• Distance Learning, e-Learning and m-Learning• Distance Learning

– learning when the source of information and the learners are separated by time and distance, or both

• E-learning– electronically supported learning and teaching

• Mobile Learning– Learner is not at a fixed, predetermined location – Learning opportunities offered by mobile technologies– Opportunity of learning is independent of

time, location and the changes in learning environment– Fill the deficiencies of former

Theory for Mobile Learning• Mobility – Learners on the move• Non-formal and Informal Learning

– Learning that takes place outside classroom• Constructive to society

– learner centered– knowledge centered– assessment centered– community centered

• Technological ease– ubiquitous use of technology.

Support for Lifelong Learning in m-Learning• Accessibility

– Learners can access material from any geo-location– Learning beyond classroom or special hours

• Rich multimedia content– Video Lectures, audio slides etc.– Translation into numerous foreign languages

• Interactivity– Face to face conversation between two learners

• Real time communication

– Social Platforms e.g. Facebook• Individuals of common interest

• Collaboration and Teamwork– Collaborate without any boundaries– Share experiences and ideas

Challenges for Lifelong Learning• Portability – support mobility• Individuality

– Support individual learning styles• Unobtrusive

– Means to retrieve knowledge in all situations• Availability

– Communication with peers, experts, teachers• Adaptability

– Context adaptable to individual skills & situations• Persistent

– Enable learning despite any change in technology• Useful - useful in everyday life routine• User-friendly - easy to use • Other – specific to mobile devices

– Small screen sizes– Limitation in power

Framework for Lifelong Learning