M-learning

M-learning or mobile learning is 'learning across multiple contexts, through social and content interactions, using personal electronic devices'.:page 4 A form of distance education, m-learners use mobile device educational technology at their time convenience. M-learning or mobile learning is 'learning across multiple contexts, through social and content interactions, using personal electronic devices'.:page 4 A form of distance education, m-learners use mobile device educational technology at their time convenience. M-learning technologies include handheld computers, MP3 players, notebooks, mobile phones and tablets. M-learning focuses on the mobility of the learner, interacting with portable technologies. Using mobile tools for creating learning aids and materials becomes an important part of informal learning. M-learning is convenient in that it is accessible from virtually anywhere. Sharing is almost instantaneous among everyone using the same content, which leads to the reception of instant feedback and tips. This highly active process has proven to increase exam scores from the fiftieth to the seventieth percentile, and cut the dropout rate in technical fields by 22 percent. M-learning also brings strong portability by replacing books and notes with small devices, filled with tailored learning contents. M-learning has the added benefit of being cost effective, as the price of digital content on tablets is falling sharply compared to the traditional media (books, CD and DVD, etc.). One digital textbook, for instance, costs one-third to half the price of a paper textbook (AFD, 2012), with zero marginal cost. Some of the possibilities offered by this methodology, according to Fombona, Pascual-Sevillana and González-Videgaray, are a greater and different access to information, along with transcendent innovations, such as the increase of informal and playful activities, iconic virtual, membership of specific groups, and networks of friendly interaction within new scales of values. Mobile learning is the delivery of learning, education or learning support on mobile phones, PDAs or tablets. New mobile technology, such as hand-held based devices, is playing a large role in redefining how people receive information. 'Numerous agencies including the Department of Defense (DoD), Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Intelligence community, and law enforcement are utilizing mobile technology for information management.' Concepts of m-learning was given by Alan Kay in 1970's. He joined Xerox Corporation's Palo Alto Research Center and formed a group to develop 'Dynabook', which is a portable and hands on personal computer. It aimed to let children have access to the digital world. This project failed eventually due to the lack of technological support at that time. Until 1994, first smart phone, IBM Simon, was created by Mitsubishi Electric Corp. It was defined as a handheld personal communicator. From then on, technological companies started to design the so-called 'smartphones'. The creation of smartphone provided the platform for mobile-learning, and current of mobile device innovation pushed mobile learning to project and research status. Chronologically, m-learning research has been characterized into three phases: first phase is the focus upon devices; second is the focus on learning outside the classroom; third phase is the focus on the mobility of the learner. At its second phase, around 2005, a tremendous number of projects have been completed, four major projects are 'The Leonardo da Vinci project From e-learning to m-learning led by Ericsson Education Dublin', 'The Leonardo da Vinci project Mobile learning: the next generation of learning led by Ericsson Education Dublin', 'The IST project M-Learning led by the United Kingdom government Learning and Skills Development Agency (LSDA)' and 'The IST project MOBILearn led by Giunti Ricerca of Genoa, Italy'. These projects are mainly targeted on the effects of m-learning, like motivation to learn, engagement in learning activities and focus on special needs people; they set the tone for mobile learning, m-learning is prepared to transfer from project status to mainstream education and training. And M-learning research is globalized now: Africa, Asia, North America, Europe, Scandinavia, Australia and New Zealand all have remarkable achievement in this field.