Chad Udell - Mastering Mobile Learning

Foreword by Tony Bingham

Copyright 2015 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Published by John Wiley & Sons, Inc., Hoboken, New Jersey.

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Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Mastering mobile learning/editors, Chad Udell, Gary Woodill; foreword by Tony Bingham.

pages cm

Includes index.

ISBN 978-1-118-88491-1 (hardback); ISBN 978-1-118-88507-9 (pdf);

ISBN 978-1-118-88502-4 (epub)

1. EmployeesTraining ofComputer-assisted instruction. 2. Mobile communication systems in education. 3. Information technologyManagement. I. Udell, Chad, 1976- II. Woodill, Gary.

HF5549.5.T7M357 2014

658.312402854678dc23

2014022658

Tony Bingham

If youve ever used your smart phone or mobile device to look something up, youve experienced mobile learning. Mobile devices are the consummate just in time learning tool, and they are remaking the learning profession.

I gave my first speech on mobile learning at the 2011 ASTD International Conference & Exposition. The topic of mobile learning was beginning to resonate in the training and development field as the proliferation of smart phones and the emergence of tablets caused all of us to realize the power these devices had for learning. ASTD has published three research reports on the topic since then, and a recurring theme in those reports is that organizations know mobile learning is an important component of a comprehensive learning strategy, but many either dont know where to start or dont believe they have the resources necessary to create and sustain a mobile learning strategy.

That is why I am so pleased that Chad Udell and Gary Woodill have collaborated to make this book, Mastering Mobile Learning: Tips and Techniques for Success, possible. In these pages, you will find great information not only on how to get started, but why to startnow.

Mobile learning isnt a fad. Smart phone sales continue to soar, and the reason is that people want their mobile phones for more than phone calls. A March 2013 report from IDC states:

Driving volumes forward will be an increasing emphasis on smart phones, further penetration into emerging markets, and ongoing replacements on a worldwide basis. Looking ahead to 2017, IDC believes that total mobile phone shipments will reach 2,281.4 million units worldwide...

The worldwide mobile phone market is poised for slow and certain growth, but the profile of the market is changing, says Ramon Llamas, research manager with IDCs Mobile Phones team. Voice connectivity has always been the cornerstone of mobile telephony, but the proliferation of 3G and 4G takes the experience into data transmission and consumption. Consequently, we expect 3G mobile phones to make up a growing majority share of the overall market, while 4G mobile phones grow at a faster rate than the overall market.

In some countries, people have mobile phones, but not computers. Students in school todaythe future workforceuse smart phones to access and share information every day. Mobile technology is transforming homework. A colleague recently told me that her high school student used Apples Siri and YouTube videos accessed via his smart phone to complete a research paper. Do you think when he and his peers get into the workplace that theyll expect to have relevant learning content delivered to their mobile devices? Of course they will.

It is time for the learning profession to dive in, and Chad and Gary are pointing the way.

The book is laid out in five parts and provides the most comprehensive guidance on mobile learning adoption and implementation that Ive seen. Chad and Gary have enlisted experts to help create this book, and you will benefit from their thoughtful contributions. From the honest assessment of what mobile learning isand as importantly, what it is NOT (spoiler alert: it is not e-learning on a mobile device) in Part 1, to the last section, which provides an excellent assessment on one of the most-reported barriers of mobile learning adoptionhow to keep up with the new developments in the spaceChad and Gary provide a roadmap that is useful for every learning professional.

One of my favorite sections is Part 2, Strategic Thinking About Mobile Learning. Included are two chapters that both address the business case and the business drivers for mobile learning. Learning and development efforts achieve their best results when they are aligned with business goals and objectives. Understanding the business case for mobile learningand being able to effectively advocate for its adoptionis a critical component in achieving more mlearning penetration in more organizations.

Mobile technology is changing the world and our experience of it. From an organizational perspective, mobile learning allows for a spectrum of possibilities that were not present before, and they continue to evolve. You, as learning professionals, impact organizations in ways other functional areas cannot, because you develop the talents of the people who do the work to achieve business goals. It makes sense that you should use the most effective tools and resources you can to do your best work. Mobile is one of those tools. Chad and Garys book shows you how.