Designing Digitally
06/22/2017
The percentage of the population that rely on mobile devices at home and work are steadily on the rise. Organizations cannot afford to ignore this trend. In fact, they should join the mobile learning boom and reap rich benefits from the online training trend. If you are still not sure about the significant benefits of mobile learning solutions, then we have compiled information you need to know before taking the plunge.
Before transitioning all your e-learning content to mobile learning, consider the following:
Mobile learning, or m-learning, refers to learning across multiple devices without the restriction of time and location. It improves accessibility and makes learning more engaging and effective for learners.
Mobile learning allows employees to access learning anytime and anywhere. The freedom it provides the learners to choose how they want to upskill themselves is one of the reasons for its popularity. It has a positive effect on learner engagement. M-learning makes on-demand learning possible. Employees can use it as an on-the-spot learning resource and can access relevant job aids and information at the time of need. It is more cost effective than traditional classroom learning which negatively impacts productivity and requires travel, classroom, and a facilitator. Implementing mobile learning permits learners to access training during downtimes. It does not require several employees to engage in training at the same time. This goes a long way in enhancing their performance and productivity.
After conducting a needs analysis and determining the desired learning outcomes to be achieved through mobile learning, the next question to ask is “which device(s) is best suited?” The first decision to make before taking the plunge into m-learning is, whether you will provide the devices or prefer the Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) policy, or consider using both. Next you must determine whether you want to transfer all your learning needs to mobile learning, or use it to support other forms of learning. Finally, you should work on aligning your resources and infrastructure to support the implementation.
The same methodology that is used to design content for classroom teaching cannot be used for mobile learning. You should realize that the user experience on a mobile device is very different from any other mode of learning. Smart devices come in a variety of shapes and sizes. They have different resolutions and screen sizes. Training needs to be designed in a way that renders smoothly across all devices. You also need to consider that learners have different data plans. When designing for mobile devices, the focus should be on the minimal. Use crisp and clear text for the learners to be able to process information efficiently. The buttons should be easily visible and simple to navigate. Compress the images so that it can be downloaded faster. Consider using videos as less as possible. You do not want to use up the learner’s data plan at one session. Break down content into on-demand chunks.
There are several tools that are available for creating mobile content. Some are easier to use, some require a technical background. You need to conduct a thorough research and try them out. Consider using free trial periods. You are the best judge of your needs. The tools that really suit your needs may not be the ones that have the highest ratings.
At Designing Digitally, Inc. we are known to develop award-winning mobile learning that excels in concepts and design. Our expert designers and state-of-the-art technologies can develop new courses as well as convert the existing ones into a mobile-friendly format.
Get in touch to know how our mobile learning services can provide you with better impact.
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