Mobile phones are increasingly used for both personal and work reasons—checking email, accessing documents and spreadsheets and performing various online tasks. By 2015, 80 percent of people accessing the Internet will be doing so from mobile devices, according to the Horizon Report.
Due to this hyper-connected reality, companies must incorporate mobile learning into their wider employee learning and development strategies. We’ve seen a sharp increase in companies incorporating Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) to work policies into their everyday work strategy. With people using a diverse range of mobile devices to perform work responsibilities, learning professionals are adapting as well.
More than 70 percent of companies of the 500 companies surveyed by Towards Maturity in 2012said they plan to implement mobile learning in the next two years.
Mobile learning is rising in popularity, and soon every company will need to offer some type of mobile learning to its employees.
What is Mobile Learning?
Mobile learning, also known as m-learning, is a type of learning that allows people to learn via their mobile device. Employees are able to learn over a multitude of different platforms, such as through a traditional LMS, social media and customized apps. All of these take place via the mobile device.
Benefits of Mobile Learning
Convenience: Mobile learning is game-changing in that it allows employees to be away from the office—whether it be in line at the grocery store, sitting on the couch during commercials or awaiting a flight at the airport—and learning at the same time. Mobile learning allows you to learn on the go from anywhere you are.
Since mobile phones and other devices have become tethered to our hands, it is important to be able to learn and connect via them.
Reference: Since mobile learning can be accessed on your personal handheld device, you are able to use it as a reference. Your employees will be able to access the training materials and notes whenever they need them. If they are out on a sales call or in a meeting, for example, they can simply pull up the information they need.
Retention: The very nature of mobile learning necessitates bite-size modules. These bite-sized chunks are better for your employee because they will be able to remember the information better. Also, if your employees are accessing this information on a break or in between meetings, the information needs to be small so they have time to look at it and understand it.
Diversity: Mobile learning helps employees understand and grasp diversity. As employees begin accessing mobile learning, they will need to overcome multiple challenges, unexpected problems, and also use creative thinking. This helps train their brain and keep them on their toes.. Mobile learning will breed employees who are able to handle change and welcome it with open arms.
What is the Future of Mobile Learning?
Mobile learning has not hit a great peak yet, but it is definitely on its way there. Keep an eye out for a larger implementation of mobile learning in the workplace this year. Employers will start looking for ways to offer mobile learning over a number of different platforms.
As you have noticed, everything in the world is beginning to rely more and more on technology. In the next few years, learning will eventually move its way in greater favor to mobile; employers who are not offering this learning platform will be considered outdated.
Jason Silberman is Marketing Director at WalkMe, an interactive online guidance system and engagement platform, which reduces training times and costs, while raising performance levels. He is the lead author and editor of Training Station, a blog devoted to news and ideas on training, learning and employee performance. He recently published a free eBook – "Express Train: How to Accelerate Employee Time to Competence"– with tips on overcoming some of the common challenges in employee training. Follow him at @tstationblog.