6.3: Benefits of Using Emerging Technologies in E-learning

Because of the rapid development of information technology, there is a shift from print-based learning to elearning to mobile learning (m-learning). M-learning refers to the use of electronic learning materials with built-in learning strategies for delivery on mobile computing devices (Ally, 2004a). Mobile devices offer many benefits. Thanks to wireless technology, mobile devices do not have to be physically connected to networks to access information. They are small enough to be portable, allowing users to take the devices anywhere. Users can interact with each other to share information and expertise, complete a task, or work collaboratively on a project.

Benefits of emerging technologies for education:

• Education is scaleable, since educational institutions do not have to build classrooms and infrastructure to hold face-to-face classes. To accommodate more learners, educational institutions need only expand the network and hire more instructors to facilitate additional courses.
• Electronic learning materials are easy to update. Because learners use their mobile devices to access the learning materials from a central server, they can receive these updates as soon as they are made.
• The same learning materials can be accessed by students from different regions and countries.
• Learners can complete their education from any location as long as they have access to the learning materials, possibly through a wireless connection.
• Because learners can access the learning materials anytime, they can select the time they learn best to complete their coursework. This increases the success rate in learning, and facilitates informal learning.
• Designers of learning materials for emerging technologies can leverage the computing power of the technology to personalize the learning experience for individual learners.
• Since learning with emerging technologies is learner-focused, learners will be more involved with their learning, and thus motivated to achieve higher level learning.
• For businesses, mobile learning can be integrated into everyday work processes, which promotes immediate application. The emerging technologies allow workers to access learning materials for just-in-time training.
• Because most learners already have mobile technology, educational institutions can design and deliver courses for different types of mobile technology (Ally & Lin, 2005).

Mobile technologies such as Blackberries, Treos, iPods, and cell phones are being used in the classroom and in distance education to reach out to students and to deliver learning materials to students. Instructors are taping their lectures and making them available for students to listen whenever they like. Providing lectures and learning materials in audio format is important for some subject areas such as when learning a language and English Literature. The mobile technologies are also used to connect to students to inform them when course requirements are due and informing them on updates to courses. Mobile learning technologies can be used in any discipline that can be broken down into small segments of instruction. This will allow students to complete one segment at a time. In addition to playing a support role in classroom instruction, mobile technologies can play a major role in distance education by delivering instruction anywhere and at anytime. Books and course information will have to be formatted for reading on computer and mobile devices screens. A good example of how this is being realized is the screen on the one hundred dollar laptop (OLPC, 2006). Information on the screen can be read in daylight as well in the dark. The small screens on the mobile devices are becoming more advanced for reading. As with the development of the virtual screen, students will be able to project information and images on a surface that is the same size as a regular computer screen.

However, before these benefits can be realized, the learning materials must be designed specifically for emerging technologies.