There are over 310 million smartphone users in the US and they spend an average of 4 hours and 30 minutes every day on their smartphones. So, when you’re creating training programs, it makes sense to go mobile. With mobile learning, you make courses more engaging and put course content where learners already like to spend their time.
Keep reading to explore more about mobile learning for the workplace, as we deep dive into what mobile learning is, its key benefits, how to use mobile learning in corporate training, and which mobile learning apps to try today.
What is mobile learning?
Mobile learning (also known as mLearning) is the process of learning using a mobile device, like a smartphone or tablet. Courses can be accessed via the internet or offline if the learner downloads the course content beforehand. Then, when they connect to the internet again, data is synced with the mobile learning management system.
Mobile learning usually includes social learning features, with discussion forums and chat functions allowing learners to connect with experts and fellow students. It’s also often paired with microlearning, a technique that breaks a training course down into bite-sized elements. Learners can get through a micro lesson in a matter of minutes, so it’s easy to fit training around other workplace responsibilities.
When you put microlearning and mobile learning together, learners can access these mini-lessons via their smartphone, making it even easier to dip into a course flexibly, at the time and place that suits them.
What are the benefits of mobile learning?
Now that we know what mobile learning is, let’s take a look at the benefits of using mobile learning for your workplace.
Enables on-the-go learning
One of the key benefits of mLearning is that it’s convenient. It allows students to learn anytime and anywhere. They don’t have to be sitting in a classroom or behind a desktop computer. Instead, they can complete course content on their commute, on their lunch break, and on their days away from the office.
This is particularly useful for remote and frontline workers who aren’t always present in the office. With mobile learning, these employees enjoy the same effective training experiences as their office-based peers.
Learning is self-paced
As learners have course content at their fingertips, they can decide when and where to complete it. They can work to their own schedule, rather than a course leader’s. In short, if one module is easy, they can race through it, and if another feels a little tricky, they can take their time and complete it more slowly. This approach helps to reduce learner frustration and improve motivation.
Improved completion rates
Another benefit is that mobile learning is engaging for learners, meaning they’re more likely to complete their courses.
They don’t have to process large quantities of information all at once, nor do they have to spend a whole day concentrating on a course. Instead, they can access content at the time when they learn best, whether that’s first thing in the morning, last thing at night, or in a spare five minutes during the workday. They can also access a variety of learning materials, not just text. Mobile learning usually supports multimedia content, like images, video, and interactive quizzes.
Cost-effective
Mobile learning is often more cost effective than traditional teaching methods. While course leaders are still involved in creating mobile course content and supporting learners through it, they don’t have to conduct live training sessions, meaning their time is used more efficiently.
You also cut costs in other areas. You don’t need to rent a room, provide physical training materials, or cover food and travel expenses. Employees also don’t have to take days away from the office to complete a course. Instead, they find it easier to fit learning into their regular work days.
Real-time feedback
Feedback is motivating for learners, as they can see what they’re doing right and where they can make improvements.
With mLearning, trainees get real-time feedback. They can access quiz scores, points, and progress trackers. This timeliness makes feedback much more relevant and allows students to address mistakes right away.
Increases knowledge retention
Research shows that mobile learning can improve knowledge retention by up to 55% when compared to traditional training methods.
Because mobile learning incorporates features like multi-media content, real-time feedback, and self-paced learning, course content is more likely to stick.
How to use mobile learning in corporate training
There are lots of ways to build mobile learning into corporate training programs. Here are a few tips to get you started.
Make it easy for learners to get started
The best mobile learning experiences involve minimal friction. It’s easy for users to log in to the platform, update their settings, and pick up where they left off.
So when you launch a mobile learning program, pick an intuitive platform — one that doesn’t require multiple clicks to perform basic tasks. When you make it easy for users to access the platform, they’re more likely to use it.
Use it as a supplement to formal training
You don’t have to run a whole training program with mobile learning. Instead, you can adopt a variety of teaching methods and include mobile learning as one piece of the puzzle. You can use mobile learning as a way to test learner knowledge, for example, or as a way for learners to summarize and review the knowledge they learn in a traditional classroom setting.
Incorporate communication
Communication and collaboration can make the learning experience more satisfying and effective, so be sure to incorporate communication into your mobile learning programs.
Tutors can stay in touch with learners over 1-2-1 chat, while forums allow all learners to share their insights and support one another.
Add gamification features
Gamification features include things like points, rewards, levels, and leaderboards. By making learning more game-like, you’ll find it easier to engage and motivate learners.
Incorporate video learning
Videos allow you to communicate lots of information quickly and in an engaging format. In fact, learners are 95% more likely to retain information via a video than via a page of text.
Use mobile-first learning designs
You only reap the benefits of mobile learning when learners enjoy a seamless and intuitive user experience. A mobile-first design means you’re not just shrinking a desktop learning solution to fit a smartphone screen. Instead, mobile-first learning designs are built for mobile users. They offer all the same great features and user experience as other devices.
Mobile learning apps to try today
Want to make mobile learning part of your organization’s L&D? Then the easiest way to implement mLearning is with the help of a mobile learning app.
Moodle App is a mobile learning app that you can use for corporate training. It works in conjunction with Moodle Workplace, a scalable, customizable learning management system. With Moodle App, you make courses and personalized learning pathways available to learners anytime, anywhere. You also:
- Create a seamless learning experience: learners can access course content via their smartphones and via a desktop computer, switching between the two easily
- Re-engage learners with push notifications: tailored, personalized notifications encourage learners to keep progressing with their courses
- Allow learners to complete course content offline: when learners are commuting or have an unstable internet connection, Moodle App makes it easy for them to access course content offline
