Thinking through our mobile learning strategyMobile learning should be learner-centric

There’s lots of excitement over the potential of technology-enabled learning especially in the form of mobile learning to enhance workplace performance. I recently conducted a programme on designing and facilitating tech-enabled learning. We had immense fun focused on the technicalities involved in blending web platforms and apps to create high-engagement bite-sized learning. As part of their assessment, participants designed bespoke learning programmes for their organisations using mobile learning.

A common reflection point by my participants was that their employees in large organisations often resist mobile learning, preferring instead to learn in a classroom. The key reason is that employees are reluctant to incur personal costs both in the form of personal time and personal mobile data plan. Common questions as pushback: ‘Why do I need to learn outside work hours?’ and ‘Will mobile learning bust my data plan?’

For me, these questions are powerful feedback from the ground for policy makers and learning designers looking to overcome barriers to mobile learning. Sorting out technicalities for mobile learning is exciting but not as important perhaps as overcoming these basic hesitations to participating in learning. We need to put the learner back at the centre of the learning experience and think through our mobile learning strategy.