mLearning @ USP

Mobile learning is any sort of learning that happens when the learner is not at a fixed, predetermined location or learning that happens when the learner takes advantage of the learning opportunities offered by mobile technologies.

These technologies makes learning easy for any user. Devices such as Mobile phones, notebooks, laptops, PDAs etc can be used. Limitations of learning as in everywhere are overcome by using m-learning as it provides mobility through the use of portable mobile devices.

M- Learning allows assessments and learning to be done via mobile devices virtually everywhere. There is a transition from traditional face to face learning; to e-learning and finally it evolved to m-learning.

Implications

Teacher roles: need to evolve to encompass wide-ranging support for informal learning (teachers must get more experience with mobile learning).
New measures of learner progress and achievement (learner progress and achievement, how can we capture and measure this, what are new ways to award these achievements? Which formal and informal ways are there, badges, certificates, credits for learning overall ... bridging the gap between formal and informal learning).
Review of language and communications curricula - taking account of opportunities for mobile-supported, situated, social learning.
Strong guidance on aspects of personal safety and security issues (trust, safe learning environment, what does it mean for female immigrants to dive into social media networks..)

Pedagogy Breakthroughs

flexible collaboration
faster feedback (not necessarily based on tutor feedback)
social or study support at point of need
expended space for reflection and self-monitoring
context inspired authentic content and challenge
location-based discoveries and memories
connecting learning across settings (contexts)
caters to learner diversity
a route to learner autonomy
continuity across the life span
friends and family drawn into learning

Benefits of mLearning

Flexibility and convenience of mobile access 24/7 any time any where (i.e. don’t have to come to campus to log on. This will help people who live in the villages and other islands.
More Availability: Mobile phones are most prevailed ICT device, more than PC.
Smart Phones, Smart Tablets are getting cheaper and capability/performance is getting better.
Interaction with fellow students and instructors will be a great help and this will promote combined study. This can help several students to work together on assignments even while remaining at far-flung locations.
Interaction with fellow students and instructors will be a great help and this will promote combined study. This can help several students to work together on assignments even while remaining at far-flung locations.
Flexible hours so students do not have to be on campus and teacher support can be expected even outside classrooms and other learning environments.
Improved ability to communicate with our students via SMS (not all check their student email accounts so miss notices). Assuming there is a high % of mobile ownership amongst students (they all seem to have one!)
Easing up on the demand for USP provided computers/hardware, as students/staff will use their own devices to do their study/work
Communicating and offering services compatible with today’s youth and the way they like to receive/provide information (i.e. mobile phones and devices are glued to their hands!)
Providing “just in time” access to information
Coverage of mobile is wider than F2F and current USPNET (80% coverage for Vanuatu).
Handsets are more affordable than laptops. The number of handsets in Vanuatu is twice the number of its population (according to presenter at Vanuatu Principals ICT conference.)

Learning and Teaching
The University of the South Pacific
Laucala Campus, Suva, Fiji
Tel: +679 323 1000