What types of content can you deliver to mobile devices? Amore salient question is: What types of content should you deliver tomobile devices?
Tablets, and even smartphones, are outstanding platforms formany types of content but a poor fit for some other content. This articleoffers guidelines for deciding when to go mobile—and when not to.
What is your goal?
Is your content intended to teach learners new informationor to refresh their memories by helping them recall information they’ve alreadylearned? The difference is important.
Long, complex content, such as a training course oreLearning that introduces dense, detailed information, is better suited fordelivery in an environment where learners can focus on the course and willspend more than a few minutes at a time working on it. But job aids and otherperformance support tools are perfect for mobile delivery.
What works best on mobile?
Few learners want to complete an in-depth course on mobile.It’s not a venue for “tiny courses,” according to Sarah Gilbert, president of meLearning Solutions. “Consider that the mobileformat is really intended for quick, accessible information to help anindividual perform a task. It isn’t ideal to turn lengthy, traditionaleLearning modules into mobile courses.”
What is ideal? Mobile devices excel at delivering:
- Just-in-timeinformation—Job aids allow employees to quickly look up information likespecs of a product, steps in a process, or the regulations that apply to atransaction they are working on. Searchable tools with quick facts or shortvideos are extremely useful on mobile devices.
- Questions—Coachesand managers can use mobile tools to send questions that prompt learners torecall information they’ve learned recently or to reflect on an activitythey’ve just completed. (See “Comcast Uses Mobile to Deepen Learning and Verify Skills” for an example.)
- Remindersand encouragement—Chatbots and other tools nudge employees to completegoals they’ve set for themselves or that managers have set, or to completepaperwork by a deadline. (See “A Mobile Coach Can Help eLearning Stick” for an example.)
Don’t forget that mobile devices offer a two-way connection!Some innovative mobile learning programs encourage learners to use their mobiledevices to take photos or record video as they complete tasks. The learnersthen send the images to their managers or coaches and get real-timefeedback—helping them improve their performance, hone skills, and build confidence.And their managers can verify that the new hires are correctly completing vitalprocedures.
Who are your learners?
People of all ages are increasingly addicted to their mobiledevices, enjoying social interaction and instant access to information: thelatest news, the answer to a question that comes up in conversation,instructions for something they need to do right now, drivingdirections, or the location of the nearest coffee shop, mechanic, or emergencydentist.
Managers increasingly exploit that constant connection toprovide employees with what they need to know when they need to know it. “Mobile learning is great foreveryone, assuming they have a mobile device and could benefit from havinginformation and guidance on-demand. This typically tends to be individuals thathave to perform a task away from desktop computers, such as sales associates,field technicians, and factory workers,” Gilbert said.
Even among these groups of employees, some learners are moretuned in to the possibilities of mobile eLearning. Termed “guerrilla learners,”these employees are digitally savvy as well as being highly motivated to learnnew things and improve their skills. Never without a fully charged mobiledevice, they’ll turn any free moment into a learning opportunity and excel atfinding the app, video, or resource they need.
Other employees might be a tougher sell on mobile eLearning.For these learners, designers have to make mobile learning easy and appealing.Design is key here: Think about providing content within a single dedicatedapp—and teaching them how to find and use the app. Or consider a chatbot thatcalls on the same skills as texting.
Is mobile the right approach?
Gilbert’sadvice for companies that are considering converting existing eLearning tomobile: “Re-think what your audience really needs, as well as how and when theywill be accessing the information.”
Many companies combine mobile learning with more traditionaleLearning or instructor-led training elements. For example, if you’ve taught agroup of technicians how to complete a process, you can send them tips via textmessaging or a chatbot. When they are out in the field, they can use a mobilejob aid to look up a detail they have forgotten or review a photo or video thatshows a dicey part of the process.
Ifthe goals and needs of learners, as well as their digital habits and workconditions, line up, mobile might be the best choice. “With an increase intelecommuting, the expectation to multitask on mobile devices, and a variety ofother use cases, a mobile-first strategy can benefit any organization,” Gilbertsaid.
Learn more!
Do you want to learn more about implementing a mobilelearning program?
Sarah Gilbert is presenting two sessions at FocusOn Learning 2017 Conference & Expo in San Diego, California, June 20 – 22:Understanding the Terminology and Scope of Mobile Learning and Getting Started with Mobile Learning.
She is also leading a Pre-Conference Certificate Workshop, BYOL: Building Interactive eBooks for Mobile Learning, on June 19.
Dozens of additional sessions at FocusOn Learning 2017 allow you to take a deepdive into mobile eLearning strategies and best practices.
