IN THIS SUMMARY In The Mobile Learning Edge, author Gary Woodill defines mobile learning as a personalized form of learning that takes place on a mobile electronic device. It allows for speedy communication, it is portable and convenient, it creates active learning experiences, and it allows for learning connectivity at any time and in any location. The content taught in mobile learning is also more likely to be retained because it is learned when the student wants to learn; because the student is actively seeking to learn, the information taught is more likely to be relevant and useful to the learner. SUBSCRIBE TODAY http://www.bizsum.com/summaries/mobile-learning-edge

2. THE MOBILE LEARNING EDGE Tools and Technologies for Developing Your Teams AUTHOR: Gary Woodill PUBLISHER: McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. DATE OF PUBLICATION: 2011 269 pages

3. FEATURES OF THE BOOK The Mobile Learning Edge would be of most benefit to those working in executive positions within relatively large organizations. The book lists and describes many different vendors and tools that can be used to help create a mobile learning program within a corporation.

4. THE BIG IDEA The Mobile Learning Edge by Gary Woodill discusses the various ways in which mobile learning will shape the future of learning.

5. INTRODUCTION The Mobile Learning Edge examines the various ways in which mobile learning will shape the future of learning and training within the global business realm. Author Gary Woodill lays a foundation for those interested in incorporating mobile learning strategies into their corporation. He reviews the various formatting issues that make creating personalized mobile learning programs an intricate and dedicated process.

6. WHAT IS MOBILE LEARNING AND WHY IS IT USEFUL? Mobile learning is personalized and involves the use of “cloud computing” through a mobile electronic device. Whereas traditional learning involved an instructor lecturing about what they felt was important, mobile learning is based around what the student feels is important, because with mobile learning, it is the student who is making the choice regarding what to learn. Previous e-learning offerings were based on single server technology—individual servers being contacted by individual computers when the computers needed information. Mobile learning now uses cloud computing which allows the content from several different locations to be united into one website or application.

13. RETRIEVING INFORMATION: ANYWHERE, ANYTIME Mobile technology can also be used to retrieve information from various sources such as libraries, feeds, and digital media channels to support customer education. Many organizations are providing mobile learning opportunities for customers who have purchased a specific product or who have signed up for a service. These mobile learning opportunities include how-to videos, interactive tutorials, frequently asked questions, and searchable help sections.

14. RETRIEVING INFORMATION: ANYWHERE, ANYTIME The mobile phone business segment has the largest number of mobile customer education programs. Mobile phone companies are providing mobile tutorials as a way to help orientate the users to their new mobile devices. Healthcare companies are also using mobile devices to answer medical questions. Through the use of mobile technology, more companies are continuing the customer-company relationship after the purchase is made in hopes that the customer will return to make their next purchase or fill their next service need.

16. LEARNING BY COMMUNICATING, INTERACTING, AND NETWORKING One of the most beneficial aspects of mobile learning software is that it allows individuals who are not in close geographic proximity to one another to collaborate . Digital media channels, such as iTunes and YouTube, are great resources for group mobile learning. Apple’s iTunes is particularly useful in the creation and distribution of podcasts, which are digital audio segments that users can subscribe to and download.

17. LEARNING BY COMMUNICATING, INTERACTING, AND NETWORKING Podcasts can be placed on a website where they can be heard directly, or downloaded to an MP3 player to be listened to at a later date. Podcasts are an effective way to communicate a message or idea to large numbers of individuals. In order to create a podcast, an individual needs a microphone, a basic mixer, and sound editing software. Some mobile phones allow for the creation of podcasts within the phone itself.

18. MANAGEMENT OF MOBILE LEARNING, KNOWLEDGE, AND PERFORMANCE It is essential that a corporation manage its mobile learning programs effectively. Because mobile learning depends largely on the employee’s ability to actively pursue learning, the power has to shift from the managers and instructors to the learners themselves. This will require encouragement of self-discipline and self-direction within employees. It is also important for the organization to allow its knowledge management system to be accessible via mobile devices.

19. MANAGEMENT OF MOBILE LEARNING, KNOWLEDGE, AND PERFORMANCE A knowledge management system is a centralized database where proprietary information about the company is stored; some smaller companies may use a third-party application to store company information, such as Google Docs. When implementing a mobile learning program, the organization must allow mobile users to access the organization’s information anywhere and at any time.

20. DEVELOPING A FUTURE-ORIENTED MOBILE LEARNING STRATEGY One of the main focuses of the mobile learning department should be trend-tracking. Mobile learning will evolve very quickly within the next few years, and it is essential that the department is up-to-date on all current offerings, protocols, and standards regarding mobile learning and mobile electronic devices. There will be a high degree of competitive rivalry between organizations as they seek to develop effective mobile learning software, which is another reason why trend-tracking will become so essential; otherwise an organization’s mobile learning program has the potential to quickly become outdated and ineffective.

24. IMPLEMENTING AND MANAGING AN ENTERPRISE MOBILE LEARNING OFFERING When implementing a mobile learning program within a corporation, it is important to remember that it will require the creation of a separate mobile learning department to oversee maintenance. The mobile learning program should not be assigned to the company’s IT department, nor should it be added to the HR department; it will require the dedication of its own small department of technicians, programmers and educators. The company should also determine what they want their organization’s overall mobile learning culture to be like.

25. IMPLEMENTING AND MANAGING AN ENTERPRISE MOBILE LEARNING OFFERING To do so, the company should gather the top stakeholders from within the organization and discuss what they feel would be the most effective mobile learning vision for the company. The top stakeholders should include members from HR, business strategy, marketing, sales, and customer service. At the meeting, the company should also discuss whether or not they want to supply their employees with the devices, or allow employees to use their own personal mobile devices for work purposes. The organization should try to keep their mobile learning policies in line with their overall corporate policies whenever possible.

26. IMPLEMENTING AND MANAGING AN ENTERPRISE MOBILE LEARNING OFFERING Creating, instating, and managing a mobile learning program is not an easy task, but it is a task the majority of large organizations will undertake within the next several years in order to take advantage of the growing offerings of mobile technology and their employees’ preference for mobile electronic devices. By following the guidelines presented in The Mobile Learning Edge , companies will be able to create a mobile learning program that is effective, engaging, and efficient.

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