Mobile learning insight into Tomorrow’s World

Jane Knight, Head of Research Services at Learning Light (LL), a non-profit organisation, seeking to establish itself as a Centre of Excellence in the use of learning technologies in the workplace, was among the key speakers from the corporate learning industry who addressed the ’Tomorrow’s World’ conference, held in London.

Organised by Matchett, along with Ridge Technology and Pixel Learning, and intended for senior managers responsible for learning and development in larger organisations, the conference covered:

The future for training provision
Digital Pen and Paper technology - the answer to remote learning
Games-based learning and direct testing
Mobile learning

Knight explained how new life has been breathed into mobile learning (m-learning). In particular, Knight commented that m-learning is now able to support new trends in workplace learning - particularly informal learning - by supporting the delivery of short pieces of content on demand and at the point of need.

She explained how ubiquitous devices, such as iPods, are transforming the concept of mobile learning, particularly through the use of podcasting for both formal and informal learning purposes.

Knight concluded by showing how mobile learning is encompassing and complementing the concepts of Web 2.0 through areas including moblogging, vlogging and collaborative learning.

She introduced the term ’Mobile Learning 2.0’ - the first recorded use of this term - and encouraged her audience to remember that they had heard it here first.

Said Janet Way, chief operating officer at Matchett: Jane’s enthusiastic insight into the future of mobile learning was well received by our Tomorrow’s World audiences, and there was a lot of favourable feedback.

For those who are interested in finding out more about podcasting, Knight revealed that the first of a series of Quick Guides to Learning Technology Trends and Technologies (based on her highly praised ’Guide to e-Learning in the Workplace’) will cover podcasting and will soon be available from the Learning Light website. Those who would like to be kept informed of its availability should contact her at jane.knight@learninglight.com