Top 6 Advantages of Mobile Learning in The Modern Classroom

With digitization slowly taking over all major aspects of our lives, mobile devices are slowly making their way into our study routine as well. Indeed, the proliferation of smart devices such as cellphones and tablets has resulted in a mobile learning revolution. Furthermore, there is substantial evidence that mobile platforms provide high-quality eLearning, demonstrating a slew of mobile learning benefits.

According to Cisco, at the end of 2014, the total number of mobile-connected devices on the planet surpassed the total human population. While we’re at the interesting statistics, it’s worth mentioning that the mobile learning market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 21.45% by 2026.

Given how much time we spend on our smartphones, they are ideal platforms for accessing short, bite-sized lessons quickly and conveniently while commuting, waiting in line, taking a break from work, etc. Chunked learning content has also been shown to increase engagement and content retention.

Still, is it all glitz and glimmer? Let’s take a look at the flip side of mobile learning first:

 

Disadvantages of Mobile Phones for Students

 

The advantages of mobile phones in the classroom continue to stir the debate among educators. The main source of concern is obviously the distractions that can (and probably will occur) by students accessing non-educational material during classes, thereby reducing their engagement. Still, this type of distraction is not unique to mobile learning.

Before we welcomed smartphones and mobile devices into our classrooms, students had plenty of resources for temporary distraction. Whether it’s gossiping in the last seats, or passing notes and throwing paper airplanes, at the end of the day, distractions are attributed to a lack of student engagement.

The best way to combat this is to keep your students focused on a task ahead. This way you won’t need to worry if they’re fully immersed with their lessons whether they study on a laptop or through a mobile app.

Another argument is that smartphones provide students with access to resources that allow them to cheat their way through classes. One would have to agree that having the ability to secretly search for test answers on the phones, or even network with other students who have previously taken the course to get answers is more than tempting. 

Yet again, students always had and will always have the way to evade their duties. There are already plenty of strategies to prevent students from cheating in such a setting. In the end, students’ morale needs an upgrade too!

So, what are the benefits of mobile use for students? Keep on reading to learn all about the upsides of using smartphones in the classroom.

6 Key Advantages of Mobile Learning

 

Smartphones have become an inseparable part of students’ lives. When discussing advantages, it’s important to remember that smartphones allow students to learn in a way that is most comfortable for them. With this in mind, let’s take a look at the six main benefits of smartphones for students in terms of expanding their learning opportunities:

 

1.Studying on The go

 

Mobile learning allows for greater flexibility by removing the requirement for learning to take place at a specific time and location. By making study materials easily accessible on mobile devices via video, podcast, and other multimedia formats, mobile learning raises the bar for learning flexibility.

Maybe the greatest benefit of mobile learning is having access to the course content at any time and place. The advantages of mobile technology allow for seamless integration into the learner’s daily routine, resulting in successful course completion and improved information recall.

 

2.Enhanced Knowledge Retention

 

What makes mobile learning so appealing is that it boosts knowledge retention due to the bite-sized learning content that is relevant to real-life business problems. 

Chunked study materials are easier to store in the long-term memory, while the interactive format of mobile learning lessons helps to boost one’s engagement compared to plain textbook studying.

 

3.Quicker Learning

 

The adoption of mobiles as a mode of learning has heavily influenced the shift toward microlearning and creating learning that can be digested in bite-sized “chunks.” Because real estate is limited, the content is brief and to the point. When on-the-job training is required, information is more easily accessible. This reduces cognitive overload and promotes learning.

 

4.Increased Engagement Due To Personalization

 

Personalization is one of the most well-known benefits of mobile learning. Learners are more engaged and motivated when they take customized courses. Furthermore, the fact that mobile learning is available at any time and from any location aids learners in staying on track.

 

5.Responsive Design 

 

We’ve all seen how certain websites that look great on our PCs don’t translate well to our smartphones. And the same would be true for mobile learning if the responsive design did not exist.

Responsive design allows the interface to adapt to a variety of device sizes, including desktop, laptop, smartphone, and tablet. Responsive design and mobile learning go hand in hand. As mobile technology advances, this shift has helped to “future-proof” the content and design.

 

6.A Well-Defined Learning Path

 

Thanks to phone-based learning reminders and organizers, learners can now receive continual alerts and updates on their courses via their smartphones, which they can access at any time and from any location. Learners can also pick up where they left off in their coursework without having to re-learn the information they previously studied. When compared to a non-mobile learning platform, this results in a more tailored learning route.

Mobile learning’s benefits are transforming the eLearning process. As the fast spread of mobile devices increases, more educational institutions will grasp the competitive benefits that come from using modern technology breakthroughs to build compelling tech-centric learning experiences for their students.