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

The learner’s mobile device can be a laptop, a micro computer, a cell phone, a tablet PC ora pad, a game device, an audio or video player, a PDA, a wearable, an ad hoc network, inany technology that keeps the user connected and moving together. The incredible thingabout mobile device is that most of the people have one, it’s private, it’s social, most of thetime it’s on and we carry it everywhere (Judy Brown). A survey has shown that almost 24%of users would be more anxious to lose their mobile phones rather than their credit cards.2. The mobile learning systemThe mobile learning system or echo-system comprises the different stakeholders andcomponents such as end users’ devices, content servers, public networks, institutionalsupport, etc. The figure I.1 shows a model of a m-learning system where mobile learning isthe central system related to interface, connectivity, applications and variables, factorsthat need to be addressed in the formulation of a m-learning project.Figure I.1, A Mobile Learning SystemMobile technology as other ICTs is an enabler in the transition from educational institutioncentred learning provision to learner centric learning provision.17