Mobile devices are everywhere, yet many eLearning strategies are still lagging behind. According to Google, nearly 80 percent of the global population has a mobile phone and we’ve already discussed the Seven Benefits to mLearning. So the question remains, “why are mLearning projects still not a major trend?”
This was the exact topic debated at the 2012 LearnShare Conference. Presented by Stacey Harris, VP of Research & Advisory Services at the Brandon Hall Group, and co-presented by The LHT Group’s Dan Longhouse and Ben Palchick.
The presentation started with a clear data analysis that illustrated our mobile lifestyles. 89 percent of smartphone usage is for staying connected and 82 percent is for researching and reading news, according to thinkwithgoogle.com. What’s more, the same data shows 45 percent of smartphone usage is for managing and planning. Clearly, smartphones are change the way business gets done.
The debate then examined three key points that are missing in mLearning projects.
- Leadership – Buy-in is paramount for the success of any innovation. Nevertheless, a recent survey by the Brandon Hall Group found that 50 percent of all leaders never access learning on mobile devices. To be successful, mLearning projects need champions from the CEO all the way to frontline staff.
- Experience – Today’s information consumers demand a heightened level of sophistication. Yet, many projects simply convert standard eLearning projects to mobile platforms. mLearning should emphasize responsive design, be device agnostic, and take a User-Centered approach.
- Assessment – Measuring success is equally important. While new frameworks are emerging, a consistent model remains unfound. mLearning projects need stated business objectives, and easily-collected data sets to determine performance.
For more information, checkout the Full Presentation!
