Mobile Learning: Ensure Success in Your Organisation
By 17 Jul 2019
Mobile phones have brought the world into the palm of our hand, providing us with constant entertainment and connectivity no matter where we are. Remote access has dramatically changed the way in which learning is delivered. No longer do you need to be in a classroom or at your desk in front of your computer to be enhancing your knowledge. Smartphones enable learning to occur anywhere – at the park, on the train, even a cafe. In fact, 71% of millennials say they connect more with mobile learning than Learning and Development (L&D) activities delivered via desktop or traditional methods. With such a large portion of corporate inductions, and training programs now occurring via a mobile device, it is crucial that organisations are ensuring that their LMS platform and learning courseware is optimised for completion on a mobile phone. Here are a few key things to remember:
1. Compatibility
There is an array of mobile devices available on the market, all with their own unique operating systems and software. When developing an LMS or learning module it is important to ensure it is compatible and displaying correctly with all the major devices. Like checking the display within different internet browsers on a desktop computer, something that is compatible and displays correctly on say an iPhone may not work with another phone such as an android.
2. Design Simplicity
Mobile displays are considerably smaller in comparison to a computer monitor. This means that they can quickly become cluttered with information, making them difficult to read and comprehend and thereby reducing the amount of information that will be absorbed by the learner. To prevent this, it is important to be conscious of the amount of information that is displayed on screen when designing courseware to be delivered via mobile. Keep information relevant and succinct. This will result in quicker, better retained information and lead to a better overall course experience and result.
3. Data Requirements
The ability to complete online courses from anywhere means that people often do so from locations where they do not have an internet connection. This is a very important consideration and often one that is forgotten about when designing courseware, as files that a too large may exceed the learner’s mobile data allowance. To combat this, ensure that files are compressed to a smaller size that is still of good viewing quality to be suitable for download. If a lengthy, high resolution video or series of images are necessary, maybe note to learners that the course is best completed from a location with an available internet connection. In today’s increasingly mobile digital world with a younger workforce who are accustomed to mobile technology, it is vital that your organisation pay close attention to these considerations to ensure the roll out of effective, engaging eLearning.