The Possibilities of Mobile Learning: Benefits, Technologies, and Practical Tips

Mobile learning has become a popular way to learn. Short, easily digestible content that includes gamification and interactive elements, such as video tutorials and various learning apps, make learning fun and effective.

In this blog post, we will go over the benefits of mobile learning, provide tips on how to create effective and motivating mobile learning content, and share examples of best practices of mobile learning, especially in workplace training.

What are the benefits of mobile learning

Mobile learning, or m-learning, refers to learning that takes place using different mobile devices, such as smart phones or tablets. Mobile learning enables flexible studying anywhere and anytime.

Some of the benefits and biggest advantages of mobile learning (especially when compared to traditional learning methods such as classroom learning) include:

• Flexibility: Learning can happen anytime and anywhere. You can learn when it fits you and have breaks how you want. Digital learning platforms and apps save your progress and you can easily return to your studies.
• Convenience: Starting the learning is easy – your phone is most likely always with you. It's also easy to use your phone to check something previously learned, like steps of a process or instructions for the use of a machine.
• Accessibility: All workers might not have access to computers during the work day, but they might have a phone instead. Additionally, it's not always practical to use a laptop, such as in public transport.
• Cost-effectiveness: Producing, distributing, and updating mobile learning content is cheaper and faster than traditional learning methods – compare for example editing a traditional text book or a printed brochure. In addition, costs related to traveling, venue rentals, or printing the learning materials are also reduced.
• Efficiency: Short microlearning modules make learning easier and help with information retention. Study sessions can be integrated into daily routines, such as commute.
• Motivation and engagement: In mobile learning, it's easy to combine different learning methods and materials, such as tasks, videos, and images. Gamified elements, visual content, and interactivity keep the learners engaged.
• Personalization: The learning content can be adapted based on the user's needs and progress. You can for example provide the user alternatives on how they want to complete the course or offer additional materials to support learning.

How to design engaging and effective mobile learning content

When designing the learning content, think about your target audience. If you know that they are mostly studying the course on mobile devices, make sure that the content is mobile-friendly to ensure a good learning experience.

Utilize microlearning and keep the content short

Mobile learners might not have time for long, uninterrupted study sessions. To accommodate this, keep the learning content short and pay attention for example to the length of the texts.

A great method for mobile learning is microlearning, where the learning is divided into short sessions, lasting just a few minutes. So, divide the material into multiple sections or chapters. Focus on one main topic in each of the chapters and keep the content brief and to the point. Avoid long text paragraphs, as they can be difficult to read on a phone. Make sure that the chapters are clearly named to improve information retrieval and navigation.

The Vuolearning online learning platform is well-suited for microlearning. In Vuolearning, it's easy to divide the learning material into smaller units with the help of courses and learning paths. Short study sessions provide more frequently sense of accomplishment and motivate to continue learning.

Utilize multimedia and visuals

Multimedia elements, such as videos, audio, images, and animations, make the learning visually appealing and effective and they can be used as a part of mobile learning as well. Consider these key points related to multimedia to ensure a good learning experience:

• Videos:
  • Add subtitles to the videos. The user might not always be in a place where they could listen to the videos with the sound on.
  • Keep the videos short. This way, the user can keep the study sessions short. Shorter videos also motivate the user to continue learning and are more engaging.
  • Reduce the videos' file size for faster loading times.
• Images: Images can be used to make complicated things easier to understand, such as processes. Include captions and alt texts to ensure accessibility.
• Infographics: These are excellent for microlearning, so they are a good method for mobile learning as well. Infographics allow the leaners to focus on one thing and quickly grasp key points. They are also visually appealing and easy to create.
• Make sure that the content is responsive, meaning that it adapts to different devices, by choosing a responsive learning platform such as Vuolearning. Vuolearning has been designed to work on all devices.

Support and motivate mobile learners

Utilize interactivity and gamification. Add for example tasks or surveys to activate and motivate the learner. Favor multiple choice tasks and quick tests or surveys, for they are easy and quick to answer. For open questions, choose questions that do not require writing a long answer. Additionally, give instant feedback for the users about their answers. In the Vuolearning platform, you can include automatic feedback texts for the tasks that the user will see right after they have answered.

Social learning is also an important element in mobile learning. Utilize group discussions or chats and offer the learners the possibility to comment and share learning experiences. Chatting with the other learners can motivate and provide peer support for studying.

Adapt the learning content based on the user's needs and progress

Personalize the learning experience and offer tailored learning paths based on the user's progress. Allow the user to choose their level and offer them alternative learning formats, such as reading vs listening.

Utilize feedback from the learners to improve the mobile learning experience

Gather feedback from the learners and improve the course content based on it. Inform the users about the feedback channels and how they can give feedback about the course. This could be explained for example in the course introduction. In Vuolearning, feedback can be gathered through the platform's feedback feature, or you can create your own feedback surveys by using the platform's survey element and open questions. In addition, follow the analytics provided by the learning platform: Which sections of the courses are engaging and which are not completed? Vuolearning offers learning analytics for example on how many have completed the course, which content is the most popular, or which videos are getting views.

An example of a mobile learning content that utilizes infographics.

Tips for effective mobile learning content

Mobile learning offers a convenient, flexible, and accessible way of learning. Well planned and relevant mobile learning material motivates and engages learners and enhances learning outcomes. Especially in competence development and workplace training, practical and immediately applicable knowledge is valuable. Here are some ideas for mobile learning content in workplace training:

• Quick training modules: "5 tips for effective customer service"
• Fast knowledge tests: "Do you know the basics of GDPR?"
• Checklists: "Remember these before a client meeting"
• Short instructional videos: "2-minute guide to using new tools"
• Podcasts or audio training: Listen during your commute
• Decision-making games: "How would you handle a customer complaint?"
• How-to guides: "How to run an efficient meeting"
• Solution-oriented content: "How to handle a difficult customer"
• Worklife tips: "Quick time management tips"
• Modular learning: Choose the topics that interest you
• Peer learning: Enable comments and discussions alongside learning materials
• Collective learning: "Share your best customer service tip"