International Conference on

“ Emerging Technologies and Future of Libraries : Issues and Challenges”

30, 31 January 2015

Organized byKarnataka SC/ST Library Professional

Association

Venue: Gulbarga University, Gulbarga

MOBILE LEARNING: A NEW APPROACH IN INFORMATION

COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY

Mr.Prasanna Devaramatha AnilkumarResearch Scholar

Dept. of Library and Information ScienceGulbarga University, Kalaburagi. Karnataka.

anilmagala@gmail.com

1.0. INTRODUCTION:

Great Revolutions done by ICT.

We are adopting new tools and techniques in the field of teaching and learning

Presently we are living with mobile revolution

Education institutions are moving towards mobile learning.

Notebooks, iPads, cell phones, iPods, e-readers and even PDAs are increasingly becoming the tools of choice for today's educators

1.1. MEANING AND DEFINITION OF MOBILE LEARNINGMobile learning (m-Learning) is defined as the provision of

education and training on mobile devices. Such as Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs), smart phones and mobile phones.

According to Lan and Sie, (2010) “Mobile learning (m-learning) is a kind of learning model allowing learners to obtain learning materials anywhere and anytime using mobile technologies and the Internet”.

Laurillard & Pachler, (2007) Defines “m-learning is being the digital support of adaptive, investigative, communicative, collaborative, and productive learning activities in remote locations, proposes a wide variety of environments in which the teacher can operate”.

Laurillard

1.2. BASIC ELEMENTS/ REQUIREMENTS OF MOBILE LEARNING:• Always online connectivity• Bluetooth for connection with other devices• Built-in video cannon for displaying presentations etc.• Camera for documentation in the field• Flash support• Full size keyboard availability • Full WI-FI connectivity• Large storage capacity (Large is a relative term changing with time)• Screen of acceptable size and readability• Large battery capacity• Messaging client for peer-to-peer communication• Non-volatile memory for backup• Phone ability• Read Adobe Acrobat documents• Read/write common office formats• Scanner and printer built in

1.3. CHARACTERISTICS OF MOBILE LEARNING:

Seppälä and Alamäki, (2003) claimed that mobile learning enables learners to be in the right place at the right time with these characteristics.

Ubiquitous, Portable size of mobile tools, Blended, Private, Interactive, Instant information.

1.4. STAGES OF THE MOBILE LEARNING:

1. Monitoring, Sensing, Detection, Tracking and Measurement of the learner, devices and

environment.2. Estimation, Prediction and Inference of the learner’s, devices, and environment’s states.3. Adaptation.4. Implementation of the Adaptations.5. Evaluation & Assessment of the Adaptations’ Implementation.

1.5. TYPES OF MOBILE LEARNING:

Some categories of emerging mobile learning (Kukulska-Hulme &Traxler, in press): are

Technology-driven mobile

learning

Miniature but portable e-

Learning

Connected classroom learning

Informal, personalised,

situated mobile learning

Mobile training/ performance

support

Remote/ rural/ development

mobile learning

1.6. ADVANTAGES OF MOBILE LEARNING Convenience and flexibility Relevance Learner control Good use of ‘dead time’ Fits many different learning styles Improves social Easy evidence collection Encourages reflection Supported decision making Speedier remediation

1.7. DISADVANTAGES OF MOBILE LEARNING There is the definite inconvenience of size, as the student has to learn while hunched over the small screen of a mobile phone and PDA. There is no denying that the storage capacities of PDAs are limited. Anyone who has a mobile gadget knows that the short battery life and frequent changes of batteries are a great nuisance. Add to this the absence of a common hardware platform; this makes it extremely difficult to develop content for use by all. Devices may become out-dated quickly and students have to keep combating obsolescence.

1.8. USES OF MOBILE PHONES IN EDUCATION /LEARNING:

Administrative learning support

Academic learning support

M-portals and SMS-gateways

Wireless environments

1.9. SOME EXAMPLES OF MOBILE LEARNING

Norway. NKI, Bekkestua. NKI is one of Europe’s major providers of e-learning

South Africa. University of Pretoria. Academic administration by SMSs

Malta. The Government of Malta has decided to implement a range of services that can be accessed via mobile phones.

United Kingdom. Head Porter Ltd. This is an application of SMS to provide lecture alerts and exam updates

United Kingdom. Connexions. This is a use of SMS messaging to provide an advice service for young people

CONCUSION:

Mobile learning is an exciting opportunity for educators, but in many ways we are just scratching the surface of all that can be achieved with it. With proper training, and time to explore these high-tech gadgets, teachers will soon be able to make rapid strides with them, and be able to support and instruct the use of such devices in the classroom on a regular basis.

Library and information centres can also play a vital role in providing library and information services to users by using mobile technology.