Mobile learning (m-learning) is still evolving and means different things to different people. But respondents in a 2017 NMC Horizon Report (Higher Education) forum largely agreed that several characteristics hold true to make it successful.

M-learning has leveraged mobile technology to make learning portable and provide instantaneous access no matter the location of the student. Educators have witnessed a resurgence of m-learning through an increase in BYOD (bring your own device) initiatives across learning institutions.

Key topics of conversation:

• For students, m-Learning is less about the technology and more about affordability and convenience. They can learn on their own time, wherever they are.
• Affordability and accessibility are key factors to both financially disadvantaged students and students in developing countries. One administrator said her school serves a high percentage of underrepresented students, but that 96 percent of them own a mobile phone, often in place of any other computer.
• A mobile-first strategy is a crucial unifier between staff and students.
• More content on mobile learning services needs to be truly responsive and mobile. A lot of content is inaccessible due to bandwidth, connectivity, and file or application format, such as Flash.
• Many m-Learning services are missing assessment and engagement components, like games, testing and simulations (gamification basics).
• Mobile learning is not a standalone technology and will often work in concert with cloud computing.
• Pretty much all mobile learning solutions lack a text messaging component.
• M-learning platforms work well for accessing information; however, there continue to be difficulties with real-time text collaboration.

Train by Cell is the only mobile training and education platform that offers a text messaging platform and a way to communicate with individuals or segmented groups in real-time. Its mobile web-friendly platform is truly mobile and responsive on all smartphones. Learn how the Train by Cell suite of services can help your business or learning institution in a free webinar.