The humble mobile has rapidly undergone a makeover over the last decade and is today a necessity for everyone. The ubiquitous nature of the device has been conceived to also aid in making education grow inorganically. The amalgamation of the two, called M-learning has introduced revolutionary changes in learning methods. M-learning or mobile learning is defined as “learning across multiple contexts, through social and content interactions, using personal electronic devices.”
Mobile learning represents a way to address a number of our prevailing educational problems. Devices such as smartphones and tablets enable innovation and help students, teachers, and parents gain access to digital content and personalized assessment vital for a liberalized world with a developing economy. Devices used in conjunction with the 4G/3G wireless connectivity, are essential tools to improve learning for students. As noted by Irwin Jacobs, the founding chairman of Qualcomm, Inc., “always on, always connected mobile devices in the hands of students has the potential to dramatically improve educational outcomes”. The not so eco-friendly books have been replaced by the eco-buddies that are the PDF files. Thus in a way, M-learning is contributing to environmental conservation.
Electronic distribution of books means that now you can pack more than print, reducing photocopying and relieving the unhealthy weight of student backpacks. The portability advantage is like a feather in education’s cap. Recording what your teacher/tutor taught in the class is no more a distant dream owing to the video and audio recording powers of your gadget. You no more need a big screen of you PC or laptop to read books. You can access notes and solutions of books like solutions for the books and CBSE online study material free with just your mobile.Flipping the classroom is certainly possible with a mobile component. With access to the vast bookshelf of titles, teachers could tempt reluctant readers with high-interest study material and videos/animation, or they could feed their voracious readers with popular books.
