What is mobile learning? how it works and what are the benefits for students

Also called m-learning or mobile learning, mobile learning is a new type of educational teaching and learning that makes use of mobile devices such as tablets and cell phones.

Recently, it has become very popular due to the social isolation caused by the new coronavirus pandemic , which has brought the need for institutions to adapt to technology, providing online and live classes .

In this model, devices become learning channels, enabling, for example, distance learning . However, this modality also refers to the use of smartphones in the classroom.

In practice, for mobile learning to be implemented, the institution must select educational applications and teaching materials to provide learning. In this way, students can have direct contact with the teacher and with the available content. Classes are transmitted by videos, preferably in short times.

In addition, through the devices, teachers can send audios and videos related to the subjects, helping students to advance in the lessons. There is also gamification, which is the process of bringing game elements to teaching, encouraging student involvement.

How did the concept come about?

In the 1970s, Alan Kay, a computer expert, had described a device that would serve as a portable book to facilitate children’s learning. Even though Alan’s project did not materialize at the time, it served to disseminate the idea of ​​a more comfortable, agile and optimized teaching.

It was precisely due to the context of expansion of distance education that the concept of mobile learning emerged, around the 2000s. Since then, countless technologies and solutions have been created to improve teaching.

Mobile devices, for example, have made it possible to learn from anywhere at any time, using just a small handheld device.

What are the benefits for students?

As we have seen, mobile learning is a differentiated and innovative model in teaching. Technology offers many benefits to students. Next, see which are the main ones!

More flexibility

In the traditional model, in general, the student has little flexibility of choice, as learning is focused on the teacher, who ends up becoming the main transmitter of knowledge. Although the educator is a fundamental figure, it is important that the student has more autonomy in the learning process, which is possible with mobile learning .

After all, this model guarantees more flexibility, allowing content to be accessed at any time. With this, the student can turn to educators only in cases of more urgent doubts.

Therefore, in cases of unforeseen routine or just indisposition, the student can choose the time and place that is best for him to concentrate and study.

Possibility of customization

One of the greatest difficulties for teachers in the classroom is to individualize the teaching according to each student. Especially because, with so many students, it is not always easy to make the necessary adaptations to improve the learning of each one.

By means of m-learning , students are able to personalize their own learning process, because the interaction with the devices takes place in an individualized way. So, you can do the tasks at your own pace and, if necessary, receive help in a different way.

In addition, through the platforms used, teachers can analyze the performance of all students, mapping individual and collective skills and, thus, formulate a diagnosis about students and teaching methodology.

Greater reach

Have you noticed that many people have their hand on their cell phone almost all day? Or maybe you are one of them. Then, through m-learning , educational institutions are able to increase their reach towards students.

After all, if before the contact was strictly physical, now it is also virtual, extrapolating the barriers of the university center walls . Therefore, students can study regardless of where they are, as they only need access to the internet and a mobile device.

Increased engagement

Throughout the school term, it can be difficult to keep your spirits up from start to finish, isn’t it? In many cases, classes seem to become dull or repetitive, causing students to lose interest and, consequently, engagement.

With this new learning modality, it is possible to recover the engagement lost due to a fixed teaching model. Do you know why? Gamification, for example, can redesign classes.

Through it, students get more involved in the activities, as they want to achieve good scores or prizes in the game, as they advance in the level of difficulty. As they engage, they also learn, which is beneficial in every way.

In fact, classes are more interactive, attracting students with the presence of multimedia elements. It is also worth remembering that the contents are adapted according to the interests and language of different age groups.

quick feedback

Let’s imagine the following situation: you had a class on Monday, you needed to do an assignment for the next week, but you realize that you have a doubt on a subject and the next class is not until the other Monday. And now, how to do the activity?

In a traditional teaching model context, unfortunately, you would need to save your question for the next class, or, at most, ask a few colleagues, but do the task anyway. With mobile learning , this is completely different, as the teacher can serve you quickly.

Therefore, it is not necessary to wait days to have your question resolved. In addition, to know if you got a question right or wrong, for example, feedback is instantaneous. This, of course, greatly optimizes the learning process.

Improve teaching efficiency

With the increased attention and participation that mobile learning makes possible, students have the chance to learn more and better, making the teaching process really efficient and meaningful. In fact, technology goes further and enhances results, as it provides rich experiences.

Students, in this case, can assimilate the contents of the academic curriculum spending less time. With this, it is possible to better organize the study routine and make the most of classes and activities.

It favors continuous learning

Undoubtedly, one of the great benefits of mobile learning is that the feature favors continuous learning. This contributes to the improvement of training and also to the recycling of students, who can benefit from more knowledge to remain prominent in the job market.

All you need is a mobile device and internet access to continue reaching out to different fields of knowledge. The coolest thing is that the technology makes it possible to integrate with other systems, such as video platforms and social networks.

Thus, it becomes simpler to have access to diversified content, enriching the entire learning process.

How to apply mobile learning in everyday life?

Currently, mobile learning has been adopted as the main tool of distance education. Therefore, the methodology is essential for students to access content in an agile and simple way, with more flexibility and freedom.

But, after all, how to use and apply the concept in the routine of studies? Understand next!

Use interactive content

Interactive contents are essential resources for anyone who wants to study from a mobile device. Through them, it is possible to discuss knowledge with colleagues and share interesting teaching materials on the subjects being addressed.

Count on good apps

Undoubtedly, having the support of good applications makes all the difference in the learning process with mobile learning . The tools offer different styles of activities, such as games, multimedia content and mechanisms for exchanging messages between students.

Invest in gamification

As we mentioned, gamification is based on the use of digital games as educational resources. The aim is to address different aspects of the content to streamline teaching. When playing, the student develops new thinking structures to understand the knowledge, having more motivation to learn.

Adopt digital books

The digital book, in the same way, is an interesting alternative to be adopted in the learning routine. They are usually offered in PDF format, but this is not a rule. The cool thing is that the student has the possibility to take the digital book anywhere, with total convenience to read whenever and wherever they want.