Custom eLearning Custom eLearning
  1. What We Do
    Custom eLearning Learning Consultancy Performance Campaigns Mobile Learning Performance Support Microlearning
    Video and Animation Rapid eLearning Games & Gamification Flash-to-HTML ILT and VILT Value Added Services
  2. Who We Are
    About Us Leadership Awards Press Releases Clients Careers Contact Us
  3. Our Work
  4. Insights
    eBooks Whitepapers Reports Presentations Case Studies Webinars Infographics Newsletters
  5. Podcast
  6. Let's Talk
  • What We Do
    • Custom eLearning
    • Learning Consultancy
    • Performance Campaigns
    • Mobile Learning
    • Performance Support
    • Microlearning
    • Video and Animation
    • Rapid Learning
    • Games & Gamification
    • Flash-to-HTML
    • ILT and VILT
    • Value Added Services
  • Who We Are
    • About Us
    • Leadership
    • Awards
    • Press Releases
    • Clients
    • Careers
    • Contact Us
  • Our Work
  • Insights
    • eBooks
    • Whitepapers
    • Reports
    • Presentations
    • Case Studies
    • Webinars
    • Infographics
    • Newsletters
  • Podcast

6 Drivers Of mLearning In The Workplace

 

Mobile Learning  |  6 MIN

6 Drivers Of mLearning In The Workplace

Written by Amit Garg

Drivers of mLearning in WorkplaceMobile learning (or mlearning) is probably a hot topic of discussion in your organization right now. In some organizations, L&D staff is struggling to build a business case for mlearning. Understanding how mobile devices are different from conventional computers used for elearning and the different avenues they open up is a great starting point to build a business case for mlearning in your organization.

In my opinion, there are six fundamental drivers of mobile learning in the workplace. These will help you make the business case for mLearning.

 

1. Doing More With Less

Organizations around the world are dealing with increased competition, shrinking margins, and an uncertain economy – with a resultant need to do more with less. This is will not change even if (which is big IF) the economy starts recovering.

William Hague, UK’s Foreign Secretary, in a recent interview to the Sunday Telegraph, advises corporate bosses to stop complaining about the economy and work harder, as that’s the only growth strategy. In his words – “And do more with less – that’s the 21st Century… We’re trying to rescue the work ethic just in the nick of time.”

Mobile technologies bring efficiencies in businesses and are beginning to impact operational strategy. Gartner predicted earlier this year that IT will be expected to do more with less in 2012. It says – “CIOs concentrating on IT as a force of operational automation, integration and control are losing ground to executives who see technology as a business amplifier and source of innovation. Effective leaders use technology, which includes IT, to strengthen the customer experience and eliminate costly internal distortions. They are using technology to ‘amplify’ the enterprise.”

For L&D mobile devices and technology will bring efficiencies by bringing knowledge and information assets to the staff just when they are needed.

 

2. Growing Mobile Workforce

In most organizations sales staff, transportation personnel, and senior executives are mostly mobile. Amongst other staff, most spend considerable time in their daily commutes. It is estimated that 75% of the workforce in the US is already mobile and IDC predicts that by 2015 the numbers, worldwide, will reach 1.3 billion or a staggering 37.2% of global workforce. This is already having an impact on the way we design and manage work itself and is bound to impact the training domain as well. The BYOD movement is one visible impacts of the growing mobile workforce and rapidly improving mobile technologies.

 

3. 21st Century Workforce Demographics

The workforce now is seeing the entry of Millenials, or Generation Y, (those born after mid 80’s) who are believed to be more tech-savvy than any of the previous generations. They grew up with technology and rely on it to perform their jobs better. They’re usually connected and may prefer to communicate though emails and text messages. Instructor led training may not be the most desired modes of learning for them.

Mark Prensky, in 2001, published Digital Natives, Digital Immigrants where he wrote about the conflict between generations as “Education is the single largest problem facing the digital world as our Digital Immigrant instructors, who speak an outdated language (that of the pre-digital age), are struggling to teach a population that speaks an entirely new language. Immigrants suffer complications in teaching natives how to understand an environment which is “native” to them and foreign to Immigrants”. There has been some criticism of this classification, but latest research also shows that there are generational differences albeit more gradual that what Prensky suggested. I believe a conflict similar to what Prensky suggested is happening in the workplace as well. You need to ensure your L&D strategy is not reflecting the ‘digital immigrant’ characteristics of a generation that didn’t grow up with sophisticated technology. There’s no denying the fact that different generations understand and behave with technology differently.

 

4. Changing Personal Behavior Patterns

While the millenials lap up technology faster than others, the ‘older’ generations are also beginning to use mobile technology for daily activities like
– Search for everything we need just in time,
– finding locations/directions instantly,
– news, ebooks, sports updates,
– social networking, facebook, twitter,
– banking & shopping,
– face time / video calls.

This article from Mashable talks about “How baby boomers are embracing digital media” which in a way captures the essence of the point I’m trying to make. As most of your staff becomes comfortable with mobile technology and starts using it in their daily lives, that’s something they’d start expecting to be used at the workplace too.

 

5. Rise of Mobile Computing

Smartphones showed a massive 63% growth in 2011, to overtake PC sales for the first time in history – Canalys. Forester estimates the sales of tablets will be higher than that of PCs by 2015. And in a few years the number of smartphones will dwarf the number of PCs.

The Future Of Mobile

  

If general computing is shifting to handheld devices expect to see more and more of organization ensuring their systems are available on such devices. A report by Morgan Keegan estimates, the mobile computing ecosystem will become bigger than PC market in about 5 years (from 2011). Just by allowing access to their systems from remote devices organizations are saving costs on work allocations, filling expense forms, and the like. With this shift it is imperative that you start thinking about learning delivered though this channel.

 

6. Explosion of Mobile Internet

A Cisco report forecasts the mobile internet data growth to be 18 times in 5 years (2011-2016). Earlier in 2010, Gartner had projected that by 2013 more people will access the internet on mobile phones than from PCs. It’s already true for some developing countries like India, where a majority of people access internet from mobiles only.

The Cisco report cited above mentions the key reasons for such huge growth as:
– Rise of the cloud: mobile cloud traffic will grow 95% per annum between 2011 and 2016
– More mobile connections: there will be 10 billion mobile internet connected devices by 2016
– Enhanced computing of devices: more powerful mobile devices like tablets
– Faster mobile speeds: faster speeds enable more consumption
– Mobile video: 71% of mobile data traffic will be video by 2016

Tweet
Tags: mLearning Mobile Learning Workplace Learning

Comments

  1. Pingback: The Mobile Learning Ecosystem I – 10 Important Questions | Harrington Digital Ltd

  2. Ara Ohanian May 25, 2012

    We have a perfect storm…

    The expections of users today (Millennials) and the shift in just a few years from smart phones as ” nice to have” to a “must have” as a result of increased consumer power and ubiuqious mobile access.

    The impact of this will be as follows: expect services in general to be shifting to the cloud and that will affect everying L&D does but as well as the supply of content over mobile devices . The L&D profession has to accept that people will use these devices outside what L&D provides. We have to shift what we do –  we’re not longer the providers of content and delivery systems – we have to help people find what they need to know so that they can get the job done fast.

    It’s time for L&D to become as smart as the smartphones people carry in their pockets.

Write a Comment



← 5 Tips For Proofreading Your Own eLearning Content A List of Interesting Mobile Learning Links →
Subscribe for updates

Delivered by FeedBurner

Featured PostsTags
L&D Go Beyond Podcast: Moving ID to LXD, with Clark QuinnIsha SoodL&D Go Beyond Podcast: Post-Pandemic Workplace Learning Strategy, with Shantanu BhattacharyaIsha SoodWhy Learning Design Should Incorporate SpacingVidya RajagopalL&D Go Beyond Podcast: Secrets to Being Smarter, Faster, with Arun PradhanIsha SoodThe Power Of Testing: Testing As A Tool For LearningSonal ShethL&D Go Beyond Podcast: Challenges and Opportunities for Measuring the Impact of Training and Learning, with Kevin M. YatesIsha Sood18 and Fabulous – Upside Learning Completes Another Glorious Year of Enabling Enterprises for Better Workplace LearningIsha SoodL&D Go Beyond Podcast: Instructional Story Design, with Rance GreeneIsha SoodStoryboarding – You Gotta LUV it!Neeti SudumbrekarL&D Go Beyond Podcast: Gamifying Workplace Learning the Right Way, with Karl KappIsha SoodL&D Go Beyond Podcast: Workplace Learning in the Post-Covid World, with Sam Taylor, Jr. and Rick HouslerIsha SoodDesirable Difficulties: Making learning slow, to improve performance fastShreyas KoradL&D Go Beyond Podcast: Learning for L&D Professionals, with Joti JosephIsha SoodBetter learning experiences lead to better employee engagement in the modern workplaceAmit GargL&D Go Beyond Podcast: The Ten Questions You Must Ask at The Start of Any Learning ProjectIsha SoodA little forgetting before retrieval makes memory stickier for workplace applicationAlesiya KhanL&D Go Beyond Podcast: Writing Better Multiple-Choice Questions to Assess LearningIsha SoodTime to onboard the great learning modernizationAlesiya KhanBeyond mere conversion, virtual ILT is an opportunity to modernize learningAmit GargModern workplace learning needs new wine in new bottleAmit GargIt’s Fun, But Is Netflix Right For Workplace Learning?Amit GargCan gamification level up your employee onboarding experience and boost outcome?Amit GargSolving before Learning: A Case for Inverting the Way Courses are DesignedShreyas KoradL&D Go Beyond Podcast: AI and The Upskilling Imperative for L&DIsha SoodLooking Back at 2021 with Gratitude: A Fulfilling Year with Many Reasons to CheerIsha SoodThe Forgotten Art of Exploratory LearningShreyas KoradDeep, durable learning ensures adept, adaptable workplace performanceAmit GargL&D Go Beyond Podcast: Design for How People LearnIsha SoodL&D Go Beyond Podcast: Chatbots in Workplace Learning & PerformanceIsha SoodL&D Go Beyond Podcast: Curiosity & Learning in the WorkplaceIsha SoodL&D Go Beyond Podcast: Curation & Learning Ecosystems – Dealing With the Complexity That Damages Learning CultureIsha SoodL&D Go Beyond Podcast: How to Solve the Right Problems in L&DIsha SoodL&D Go Beyond Podcast: Innovation in L&DIsha SoodL&D Go Beyond Podcast: How to Bring Performance Focus to TrainingIsha SoodL&D Go Beyond Podcast: Design Thinking for Learning EngagementIsha SoodL&D Go Beyond Podcast: Building Learning Programs that EngageIsha SoodL&D Go Beyond Podcast: Learning Engagement in Supply Chain TrainingIsha SoodThe Living Root Bridge of Learning EngagementAmit GargAuthentic, holistic tasks ensure engaged, applicable learningAmit GargThe Curious Role of Spaced Practice and Staggered Retrieval in Learning EngagementAmit GargWhy Interleaving is a Significant Practice for Learning EngagementAmit GargUnderstanding Learning Engagement – The Missing Link Between Learning and PerformanceAmit GargWhat is Learning?Amit GargEngaging eLearning is Effective LearningAmit GargReimagine Learning with GamificationShreyas KoradGamification of Workplace Learning: Podcast Series Episode 6Mustafa HusainGamification of Workplace Learning: Podcast Series Episode 5Mustafa HusainHow Mindset of a Gamer Help Us Navigate Learning in Modern WorkplaceShreyas KoradGamification of Workplace Learning: Podcast Series Episode 4Mustafa HusainGamification of Workplace Learning: Podcast Series Episode 3Mustafa Husain
Mobile Learning (140)eLearning (115)mLearning (98)Instructional Design (50)Game Based Learning (42)Technology (35)eLearning Development (35)Workplace Learning (33)Learning (26)Learning Games (26)Design (25)Upside Learning (24)Learning Design (22)eLearning Technology (21)Social Learning (20)ipad (19)DGBL (17)Best eLearning Links (16)augmented reality (15)eLearning Outsourcing (15)Games (14)HTML5 (14)Innovation (13)LMS (13)Responsive Authoring Tools (13)Mobile (13)UL Fun Cartoon (13)Future (12)IPhone (12)Future Learning (11)UL Fun e toons (11)Informal Learning (11)elearning weekly digest (11)Responsive eLearning (11)Flash (10)Development (10)Top eLearning Links (10)eLearning On Tablets (10)Learning Technology (10)Weekly Digest (9)Top eLearning Posts (9)Blended Learning (9)GBL (9)Mobile Learning Technology (9)eLearning Weekly Finds (8)Tablet Learning (8)Multi Device eLearning (8)eLearning Weekly Find (8)Mobility (8)elearning in a multi-device world (7)Learning and Development (7)Trends (7)Rapid Authoring (7)Training Outsourcing (7)Engaging eLearning (7)Custom eLearning (7)Performance Support (7)Mobile Technology (6)Casual Games (6)Serious Games (6)
eLearning Learning

Upcoming Events

Archives

Resources
Compliance Training: Stop Ticking the Box
Compliance Training: Stop Ticking the BoxesHave a compliance program that’s not as effective as you’d hoped? Or wondering where to start to design an effective one? Find the answers to all your queries in this eBook.
Read More and Download
The Ultimate Guide to migrating eLearning from Flash to HTML5
The Ultimate Guide to migrating eLearning from Flash to HTML5This eBook is meant for organizations who want to migrate their eLearning from Flash to HTML5.
View Recording
Tips for Designing, Testing and Delivering eLearning in a Multi-device World - eBook
Tips for Designing, Testing and Delivering eLearning in a Multi-device WorldA collection of highly useful tips on the various aspects of designing, testing and delivering multi-device/ responsive eLearning.
Read More and Download

GET INSIGHTS AND LEARNING DELIGHTS STRAIGHT TO YOUR INBOX, SUBSCRIBE TO UPSIDE LEARNING BLOG.

Delivered by FeedBurner

Published on May 23, 2012
Topic : Mobile Learning

Don't forget to share this post!

  • Snow
  • Snow
  • Snow
  • Snow

Related Blogs

Leveraging Mobility Effectively – Webinar
eLearning Development    | 2 MIN
Amit Garg
Teaching for Trying Times
Mobile Learning    | 5 MIN
Amit Garg
Why You Need To Leverage Mobile For Performance Support
Microlearning    | 3 MIN
Amit Garg

GET INSIGHTS AND LEARNING DELIGHTS STRAIGHT TO YOUR INBOX, SUBSCRIBE TO UPSIDE LEARNING BLOG

Delivered by FeedBurner

  • Snow
  • Snow
  • Snow
  • Snow

Follow us on

  • linkedin
  • Facebook
  • Snow
  • Slideshare
  • Feedburner
  • Youtube
to be in trend with latest happening in the elearning domain.

More from Our Resources

  • eBook

  • Whitepapers

  • Reports

  • Presentations

  • Case Studies

  • Webinars

  • Infographics

  • Newsletters

Snow
Forest
Mountains
Mountains
Mountains

WANT TO FIND OUT HOW OUR SOLUTIONS CAN IMPACT
YOUR ORGANISATION?
CLICK HERE TO GET IN TOUCH

Custom eLearning

Upside Learning Solutions Pvt. Ltd.

Punakar Complex, Survey No-117,
Bangalore Pune Highway, Warje,
Pune, India

Tel: +91-20-2523 6050 / 51 / 52

Email: elearning@upsidelearning.com

FOLLOW US

GO BEYOND
What is Go Beyond Compliance Training Sales Enablement Measuring Learning
Effectiveness
Microlearning Gamification Learning Engagement
OUR PHILOSOPHY
Learning Strategy Solution Design and
Development
WHAT WE DO
Custom eLearning Learning Consultancy Performance Campaigns Mobile Learning Performance Support Microlearning Video and Animation Rapid eLearning Games & Gamification Flash-to-HTML Conversion ILT and VILT Value Added Services
WHAT WE ARE
About Us Our Work Leadership Awards Press release Clients Careers Contact Us
QUICK LINKS
Insights Blog Submit a RFP Schedule A Call Client Login Privacy Policy

Copyright © 2022 Upside Learning Solutions Pvt. Ltd.