Lifelong Learning supported by Mobile Technologies Anupam Ashish S. M. Fahad Aizaz

Why Lifelong Learning?

What is Lifelong Learning? Continuous building of skills and knowledge acquisition Formal and informal education, life experiences Improve knowledge, skills and competence with a personal, civic, social employment-related perspective. Characteristics – The process is continuous through- out one’s life – No specific age group – Entail programs that are pursued during a lifetime – Philosophical approach

Models of Lifelong Learning Formal Learning – School, university, military training – Learner has little control over the process Non-formal Learning – Individual decides what to learn – How is decided by the organizer – Partial Control Informal Learning – Learner decides how is to be learned Self directed – Individual decide what and how of learning – Targeted mostly for adults

Mobile Technology and Learning Internet has evolved into a universal platform to communicate and share information Massive development in cellular communication technologies Location is not static – Support for mobility Are these devices capable of incorporating a Learning environment? m-Learning project from ECIST – Envisage the potential of mobile devices for learning – Targeted reluctant young adult learners with poor literacy or numeracy

Different Learning Methodologies Distance Learning, e-Learning and m-Learning Distance Learning – learning when the source of information and the learners are separated by time and distance, or both E-learning – electronically supported learning and teaching Mobile Learning – Learner is not at a fixed, predetermined location – Learning opportunities offered by mobile technologies – Opportunity of learning is independent of time, location and the changes in learning environment – Fill the deficiencies of former

Theory for Mobile Learning Mobility – Learners on the move Non-formal and Informal Learning – Learning that takes place outside classroom Constructive to society – learner centered – knowledge centered – assessment centered – community centered Technological ease – ubiquitous use of technology.

Support for Lifelong Learning in m-Learning Accessibility – Learners can access material from any geo-location – Learning beyond classroom or special hours Rich multimedia content – Video Lectures, audio slides etc. – Translation into numerous foreign languages Interactivity – Face to face conversation between two learners Real time communication – Social Platforms e.g. Facebook Individuals of common interest Collaboration and Teamwork – Collaborate without any boundaries – Share experiences and ideas

Challenges for Lifelong Learning Portability – support mobility Individuality – Support individual learning styles Unobtrusive – Means to retrieve knowledge in all situations Availability – Communication with peers, experts, teachers Adaptability – Context adaptable to individual skills & situations Persistent – Enable learning despite any change in technology Useful - useful in everyday life routine User-friendly - easy to use Other – specific to mobile devices – Small screen sizes – Limitation in power

Framework for Lifelong Learning