Trends in Distance Education and Open Learning: Policy ... - ADEA

TUSK is a "dynamic multimedia knowledge management system" that the Medical, Dental,and Veterinary Schools at Tufts and several other international schools use for knowledgemanagement and info-sharing. This year they rolld out a mobile version for the platform inresponse to a number of factors, including lack of computers in partner schools, preceptorsasking for support in office, students wanting to access content ‘on the go’,etc. Additionally, in the healthcare field internationally, the phone IS thecomputer. Globally there are 400 million computers vs. 4 billion cell phones. Nearly 100%of students at partner schools have phones – only 10% have computers. Besides ubiquity,Tufts believes in the learning potential of mobile devices (they cited research by Naismithregarding mobile technologies and learning).The team encountered some design challenges for the mobile piece, including appropriateuse of the new context for information, the screensize, load time, storage, diverse phoneplatforms, etc. Design considerations included understanding user patterns (done viasurvey), achieving objectives using fewer links per page, allowing more scrolling in favor oflarger text size, simplified pages, and ultimately achieving a "one design MANY platforms"solution. Testing was done using free online phone emulators, and the Opera minibrowser was determined to be the baseline minimum technical requirement. The team iskeeping their eye on the "HTML5 vs. Adobe Flash" issues. Mobile content on the siteincludes slides, flash cards for self-assessments, patient log entry forms, etc.Session: Mobile Learning in Executive Education at Harvard Business SchoolSpeakers for this session included Curtis Hermann, Senior Multimedia Engineer, and KatieMartin, Director of Program Innovation, both from the Educational Technology Group atHarvard Business School.In spring 2009, HBS Executive Education launched a pilot program using iPod Touch mobiledevices. This allowed program participants real-time access to program information andcontent from any on-campus location. The devices were provided to over 160 participantswith funding contingent upon an extensive post-use evaluation. The iTouch was chosedbecause it would allow for a single-platform for content development, it did not contain aphone (no plan required), and it was an attractive vehicle for A/V content. Assessment washandled via pre- and post-program surveys, flash polls, focus groups, individual interviews,and weekly journals. Key takeaways: The device was quickly adopted as critical to daily activities, used on average 47minutes/day by participants. They primarily used the device to check email, and tokeep appraised of the program's schedule and announcements. There is also aprogram directory. Participants preferred the anytime/anywhere nature of the device in contrast todesktop computers provided in their living quarters. Audio versions of certain Harvard Business School case studies were provided onthe devices. Pariticipants found these to be a compltement to, but not a106