Mobile Learning and the Future of Education

In a recent article written by Joe Ganci On Mobile Learning Solutions Magazine’s web site (you can read the full story here), Joe asked 7 industry experts three questions:

1. What are the obstacles to practical delivery of learning via mobile devices?
2. What do you think it will take to solve these problems?
3. When do you think it will happen?

Answers for the first question seemed to be consistent among the respondents and ranged from lack of technical standards, lack of consistency among devices, and a lack of consistency in content delivery. Everyday more and more schools, colleges and universities are experimenting with mobile learning. A recent article in Wired Magazine talks about how universities are looking to replace textbooks with iPads, and the University of Oklahoma is currently doing a study using iPads in education. The article also talks about how mobile learning could actually save students money on text books. Good news for parents and future college students faced with footing the bill for a higher education.

While mobile learning is still in the nascent stages of development, we believe that a key to resolving some issues related to content delivery and lack of consistency among devices is to make mobile apps and textbooks that promote learning for multiple devices. At gWhiz we develop apps for the iPad/iPod touch/iPhone as well as the BlackBerry smartphone and Android. Developing apps for multiple devices is no different than developing a web site that delivers educational content for multiple browsers. It just makes good sense in terms of reaching the largest audience of learners.

Florida Virtual Schools’ meStudying Algebra 1 app is a great example of an app that is available for multiple devices that students are likely to already have in their pockets. Same with their Reading for College Success App that is due for release soon. Kaplan also has professional apps that are available on Android, the i-devices, and BlackBerry smartphone including: GRE Vocabulary, Medical Terms for Nurses, Real Estate Terms, and Architecture Registration Exam.

We’d love to hear from you, what device do you use and why? E-mail your response to marketing@gwhizmobile.com and we’ll send you a promo code of your choice subject to availability.