Skip to main content
International Journal of Educational Technology in Higher Education
Download PDF

What is the future of mobile learning in education?

¿Cuál es el futuro del aprendizaje móvil en la educación?

International Journal of Educational Technology in Higher Education volume 11, pages 142–151 (2014)Cite this article

Abstract

The evolution of wireless technologies and the development of applications for mobile devices in higher education have been spectacular. For many educators, mobile technology in the field of teaching and learning has recently become one of the most important areas of research. Today, mobile learning is a strategic topic for many organizations concerned with education. In the future, more research should be conducted to transform education using mobile learning. The advent of new types of devices is disruptive to education, no matter what educators and education institutions do. Therefore, a thorough analysis, from a pedagogical and technological perspective, is key to ensuring appropriate usage and implementation of mobile learning.

This Special Section of RUSC. Universities and Knowledge Society Journal presents a general overview of successful mobile learning experiences in higher education. Its aim is to share best practices and create new opportunities in universities. These mobile applications will add another layer to the learning and teaching processes.

Resumen

Las tecnologías inalámbricas y las aplicaciones para dispositivos móviles en la educación superior han experimentado un crecimiento espectacular. Para muchos educadores, la tecnología móvil en el campo de la enseñanza y el aprendizaje se ha convertido en uno de los principales ámbitos de investigación. Hoy, el aprendizaje móvil es un ámbito estratégico para muchas organizaciones que tienen competencias educativas. En el futuro, habrá que intensificar las investigaciones para transformar la educación mediante el aprendizaje móvil. La aparición de nuevos tipos de dispositivos plantea problemas para la educación, independientemente de lo que hagan el personal docente y las instituciones educativas. Por lo tanto, es esencial llevar a cabo un análisis, desde una perspectiva tecnológica y pedagógica, para garantizar el uso y la implementación apropiados. Esta sección especial de RUSC. Revista de Universidad y Sociedad del Conocimiento presenta una visión general de experiencias exitosas de aprendizaje móvil en la educación superior. El objetivo es compartir buenas prácticas y crear nuevas oportunidades en las universidades. Estas aplicaciones móviles añadirán un nuevo estrato a los procesos de aprendizaje y enseñanza.

References

  • Ali, R., & Irvine, V. (2009). Current m-learning research: A review of key literature. In T. Bastiaens et al. (Eds.), Proceedings of World Conference on E-Learning in Corporate, Government, Healthcare, and Higher Education 2009 (pp. 2353–2359). Chesapeake, VA: AACE.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ally, M., & Samaka, M. (2013, February). Improving Communication skills in the workplace using mobile Learning. Presentation at the Symposium on Mobile Learning, UNESCO Mobile Learning Week, Paris, France.

  • Ally, M., & Tsinakos, A. (Eds.) (2014). Increasing access through mobile learning. Vancouver, BC: Commonwealth of Learning Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ally, M., & Needham, G. (Eds.) (2010). M-Libraries: A virtual library in everyone’s pocket. London, United Kingdom: Facet Publishing.

    Google Scholar 

  • BBC News (2010, 1 July). Finland makes broadband a ‘legal right’. Retrieved 1 November 2013. Retrieved from http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/10461048

  • Botha, A., Vosloo, S., Kuner, J., & van den Berg, M. (2009). Improving Cross-Cultural Awareness and Communication through Mobile Technologies. International Journal of Mobile and Blended Learning, 1(2), 39–53. doi http://dx.doi.org/10.4018/jmbl.2009040103

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Brown, J. S. (2005). New Learning Environments for the 27st Century. Retrieved from www.johnseelybrown.com/newlearning.pdf.

  • Cochrane, T. (2013). M-Learning as a catalyst for pedagogical change. In Z. L. Berge & L. Y. Muilenburg (Eds.), Handbook of mobile learning. New York, NY: Routledge.

    Google Scholar 

  • Daanen, H., & Facer, K. (2007). Opening education 2020 and beyond: Future scenarios for education in the age of new technologies. Retrieved from http://www.nfer.ac.uk/nfer/publications/FUTL54/FUTL54_home.cfm?publicationID=943&title=2020%20and%20beyond

  • Demsey, L. (2008). Always on: libraries in a world of permanent connectivity. In G. Needham & M. Ally (Eds.), M-libraries: Libraries on the move to provide virtual access (pp. xxv–lii). London, United Kingdom: Facet Publishing.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gerstein, J. (2013). Team and community building using mobile devices. In Z. L. Berge & L. Y. Muilenburg (Eds.), Handbook of mobile learning. New York, NY: Routledge.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hassan, M., Hamdan, Z., & Al-Sadi, J. (2012). A new mobile learning content design process. International Journal of Academic Research, 4(1), 23–28.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kenny, R. F., Park, C. L., Van Neste-Kenny, J. M. C., Burton, P., Park, C. L., & Qayyum, A. (2012). Using Self-Efficacy to Assess the Readiness of Nursing Educators and Students for Mobile Learning. International Review of Research in Open and Distance Learning, 13(3), 277–296.

    Google Scholar 

  • Koszalka, T. A., & Ntloedibe-Kuswani, G. S. (2010). Literature on the safe and disruptive learning potential of mobile technologies. Distance Education, 31(2), 139–157. doi http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/01587919.2010.498082

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • López Cruz, C. S. & Gutiérrez Cortés, F. I. (2012). Mobility in Learning: Interdisciplinary Experiences. In Proceedings of World Conference on E-Learning in Corporate, Government, Healthcare, and Higher Education 2072 (pp. 1845–1849). Chesapeake, VA: AACE.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lowenthal, J. N. (2010) Using Mobile Learning: Determinates Impacting Behavioral Intention. American Journal of Distance Education, 24(4), 195–206. doi http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/08923647.2010.519947

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Muir, D. J. (2013). An international perspective on mobile learning. In Z. L. Berge & L. Y. Muilenburg (Eds.), Handbook of mobile learning. New York, NY: Routledge.

    Google Scholar 

  • Naismith, L., Lonsdale, P., Vavoula, G., & Sharples, M. (2006). Literature Review in Mobile Technologies and Learning. Report 11, Futurelab.

  • Quinn, C. (2013). A future for M-Learning. In Z. L. Berge & L. Y. Muilenburg (Eds.), Handbook of mobile learning. New York, NY: Routledge.

    Google Scholar 

  • Roberts, J. B. (2013). Accessibility in M-Learning: Ensuring equal access. In Z. L. Berge & L. Y. Muilenburg (Eds.), Handbook of mobile learning. New York, NY: Routledge.

    Google Scholar 

  • Stockwell, G. (2010). Using mobile phones for vocabulary activities: examining the effect of the platform. Language Learning & Technology, 14(2), 95–110.

    Google Scholar 

  • Stoerger, S. (2013). Becoming a digital nomad: Transforming learning through mobile devices. In Z. L. Berge & L. Y. Muilenburg (Eds.), Handbook of mobile learning. New York, NY: Routledge.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sutch, D. (2010). Education futures, teachers and technology. Futurelab Report. http://www2.futurelab.org.uk/resources/documents/other_research_reports/Education_futures.pdf.

  • Taylor, J. D., Dearnley, C. A., Laxton, J. C., Coates, C. A., Treasure-Jones, T., Campbell, R., & Hall, I. (2010). Developing a mobile learning solution for health and social care practice. Distance Education, 31(2), 175–192. doi http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/01587919.2010.503343

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • The Economist (2007). Mobile Banking: a bank in every pocket. Retrieved from www.economist.com/opinion/displaystory.cfm?story_id=10133998

  • Traxler, J. (2013). Mobile learning across developing and developed worlds: Tackling distance, digital divides, disadvantage, disenfranchisement. In Z. L. Berge & L. Y. Muilenburg (Eds.), Handbook of mobile learning. New York, NY: Routledge.

    Google Scholar 

  • Traxler, J. (2010). Distance education and mobile learning: catching up, taking stock. Distance Education, 31(2), 129–138. doi http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/01587919.2010.503362

    Article  MathSciNet  Google Scholar 

  • Traxler, J. (2009). Learning in a Mobile Age. International Journal of Mobile and Blended learning, 1(1), 1–12. doi http://dx.doi.org/10.4018/jmbl.2009010101

    Article  MathSciNet  Google Scholar 

  • Tsinakos, A., & Ally, M. (2013). Global mobile learning implementation and trends. Beijing, China: CRTVU Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Vavoula, G., & Sharples, M. (2009). Meeting the Challenges in Evaluating Mobile Learning: A 3-Level Evaluation Framework. International Journal of Mobile and Blended Learning, 1(2), 54–75. doi http://dx.doi.org/10.4018/jmbl.2009040104

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wang, M., Shen, R., Novak, D., & Pan, X. (2009). The impact of mobile learning on students’ learning behaviours and performance: Report from a large blended classroom. British Journal of Educational Technology, 40(4), 673–695. doi http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-8535.2008.00846.x

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Centre for Distance Education, Technology Enhanced Knowledge Research Institute (TEKRI) Athabasca University, 1 University Drive Athabasca, AB, T9S 3A3, Alberta, Canada

    Mohamed Ally (Professor, Researcher)

  2. Universitat Oberta de Catalunya, Rambla Poblenou, 156, 08018, Barcelona, Spain

    Josep Prieto-Blázquez (Dean, Computing, Multimedia and Telecommunication Studies)

Authors
  1. Mohamed Ally
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Josep Prieto-Blázquez
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Mohamed Ally.

Additional information

Support for this publication was provided by a research grant (NPRP Grant # 4-125-5-016) from the Qatar National Research Fund (a member of Qatar Foundation).

Rights and permissions

Open Access This article is distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0), which permits use, duplication, adaptation, distribution, and reproduction in any medium or format, as long as you give appropriate credit to the original author(s) and the source, provide a link to the Creative Commons license, and indicate if changes were made.

Reprints and Permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Ally, M., Prieto-Blázquez, J. What is the future of mobile learning in education?. Int J Educ Technol High Educ 11, 142–151 (2014). https://doi.org/10.7238/rusc.v11i1.2033

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.7238/rusc.v11i1.2033

Keywords

  • mobile learning
  • future of mobile learning
  • mobile applications
  • higher education
  • mobile age

Palabras clave

  • aprendizaje móvil
  • futuro del aprendizaje móvil
  • aplicaciones móviles
  • educación superior
  • época móvil