Debate: Adopting Mobile Learning

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The argument: M-learning needs to be part of your current learning strategy. It's worth the time and effort.

The argument: M-learning needs to be part of your current learning strategy. It's worth the time and effort.

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Sure, your workforce is probably already mobile. Many employees are using mobile resources to get information they need to do their jobs. Does it make sense for you to provide a more specific solution for them via mobile? Will it justify the resource allocation required? Will you see both short- and long-term improvement in performance? Going mobile is top of mind for many learning organizations today. Is now the time to go full throttle?

Sure, your workforce is probably already mobile. Many employees are using mobile resources to get information they need to do their jobs. Does it make sense for you to provide a more specific solution for them via mobile? Will it justify the resource allocation required? Will you see both short- and long-term improvement in performance? Going mobile is top of mind for many learning organizations today. Is now the time to go full throttle?

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Chad Udell

Chad Udell

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Managing Director, Float Mobile Learning

Managing Director, Float Mobile Learning

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It's time to revisit mobile learning and review the opportunities for improving the effectiveness of your overall learning strategy in 2016. With mobile learning currently sitting squarely in the "Trough of Disillusionment" part of the Hype Cycle for Educational technologies, I understand you might be a bit leery of doing just that.

It's time to revisit mobile learning and review the opportunities for improving the effectiveness of your overall learning strategy in 2016. With mobile learning currently sitting squarely in the "Trough of Disillusionment" part of the Hype Cycle for Educational technologies, I understand you might be a bit leery of doing just that.

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The reality—despite things looking bleak for mobile learning because a few people perhaps stubbed their toes with misguided pilots or launched unsuccessful prototypes as part of an initial rollout of mobile to their workforce—is that there are so many great things already in place. The next time out is sure to be different. Let's investigate the five things we've learned in the past five years of mobile learning.

The reality—despite things looking bleak for mobile learning because a few people perhaps stubbed their toes with misguided pilots or launched unsuccessful prototypes as part of an initial rollout of mobile to their workforce—is that there are so many great things already in place. The next time out is sure to be different. Let's investigate the five things we've learned in the past five years of mobile learning.

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Peak mobility has arrived. It's safe to say that if you are reaching your workers with computer-based training materials and performance support, it's also valid to use smartphone-focused delivery. According to Pew Internet Research, 73 percent of American adults own a computer, the de facto tool used by knowledge workers. This is only a few points ahead of how many adults own a smartphone, which is 68 percent. Additionally, 92 percent of American adults have cellphones. In terms of sales, research from Gartner reveals that August 2015 saw smartphone growth slow to its lowest number since 2013.

Peak mobility has arrived. It's safe to say that if you are reaching your workers with computer-based training materials and performance support, it's also valid to use smartphone-focused delivery. According to Pew Internet Research, 73 percent of American adults own a computer, the de facto tool used by knowledge workers. This is only a few points ahead of how many adults own a smartphone, which is 68 percent. Additionally, 92 percent of American adults have cellphones. In terms of sales, research from Gartner reveals that August 2015 saw smartphone growth slow to its lowest number since 2013.

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Operating systems have stabilized. iOS and Android power more than nine out of every 10 devices. Compare that number with 2010, when Blackberry, Symbian, and Windows all had significant shares in the marketplace, forcing you to support a huge array of device operating systems and specs.

Operating systems have stabilized. iOS and Android power more than nine out of every 10 devices. Compare that number with 2010, when Blackberry, Symbian, and Windows all had significant shares in the marketplace, forcing you to support a huge array of device operating systems and specs.

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Now, the market is still a little splintered when it comes to operating system version numbers and device sizes, but that's a small consideration for compatibility, not a showstopper. With iOS (14 percent) and Android (83 percent) gripping 97 percent of the market share, that's a breakdown that a corporate IT spend can accommodate.

Now, the market is still a little splintered when it comes to operating system version numbers and device sizes, but that's a small consideration for compatibility, not a showstopper. With iOS (14 percent) and Android (83 percent) gripping 97 percent of the market share, that's a breakdown that a corporate IT spend can accommodate.

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Platforms have solidified. Companies invest heavily in IT infrastructure to power their digital initiatives. IDC reports nearly $900 billion on technology spending in 2014.

Platforms have solidified. Companies invest heavily in IT infrastructure to power their digital initiatives. IDC reports nearly $900 billion on technology spending in 2014.

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In today's market, most enterprise content management systems and learning management systems support at least some mobile services or offer mobile-compatible features. If this was a blocked door for you in previous mobile endeavors, it's time to look again. If your supplier still hasn't gone mobile, it may be time to go shopping for one that has.

In today's market, most enterprise content management systems and learning management systems support at least some mobile services or offer mobile-compatible features. If this was a blocked door for you in previous mobile endeavors, it's time to look again. If your supplier still hasn't gone mobile, it may be time to go shopping for one that has.

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Workplace learning truly has changed. One only needs to look at the Association for Talent Development's prescient rebranding effort in 2014, and the birth of this new publication, CTDO, to see some big signs that the concept of "training" has shifted. We're much more than that, and previous mediums may not be up to the task to expand beyond basic learning delivery as we knew it. Mobile is how the business world gets things done today, and to not be present in this seismic shift with relevant content and tools for your talent development efforts is a massive opportunity lost.

Workplace learning truly has changed. One only needs to look at the Association for Talent Development's prescient rebranding effort in 2014, and the birth of this new publication, CTDO, to see some big signs that the concept of "training" has shifted. We're much more than that, and previous mediums may not be up to the task to expand beyond basic learning delivery as we knew it. Mobile is how the business world gets things done today, and to not be present in this seismic shift with relevant content and tools for your talent development efforts is a massive opportunity lost.

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Next-gen technology is powerful stuff. By 2020, augmented reality and virtual reality spending will hit $150 billion, Tim Merel writes on TechCrunch. What's the massive draw? Well, with it clearly having tremendous potential to change how we see the world around us, and allowing us to interact with our spaces overlaying data and content in real time, there hasn't been a bigger disruptor since the birth of the modern smartphone in 2007.

Next-gen technology is powerful stuff. By 2020, augmented reality and virtual reality spending will hit $150 billion, Tim Merel writes on TechCrunch. What's the massive draw? Well, with it clearly having tremendous potential to change how we see the world around us, and allowing us to interact with our spaces overlaying data and content in real time, there hasn't been a bigger disruptor since the birth of the modern smartphone in 2007.

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It's time to invest some time and energy into understanding how this will change how your talent gets things done. Make 2016 your year to learn about augmented reality and virtual reality and how your talent can benefit from this advanced technology.

It's time to invest some time and energy into understanding how this will change how your talent gets things done. Make 2016 your year to learn about augmented reality and virtual reality and how your talent can benefit from this advanced technology.

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With those things in mind, maybe now is the right time to move beyond the trough and into the slope of enlightenment. You'll be with good company.

With those things in mind, maybe now is the right time to move beyond the trough and into the slope of enlightenment. You'll be with good company.

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Brandon Carson

Brandon Carson

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Director of Learning, Home Depot

Director of Learning, Home Depot

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You may be wondering what the stakes are for moving to mobile now or waiting until there are tangible metrics to prove the business justification. By reviewing these challenges before you start down the path to mobile learning, you will quickly determine if you need to move toward mobile now, or plan for the future.

You may be wondering what the stakes are for moving to mobile now or waiting until there are tangible metrics to prove the business justification. By reviewing these challenges before you start down the path to mobile learning, you will quickly determine if you need to move toward mobile now, or plan for the future.

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Does your company view learning as a formal events? If your offerings are primarily classroom, how might mobile help you? Formal classroom training always will have a place—and some topics, such as leadership and sales training, are perfect for the instructor-led setting.

Does your company view learning as a formal events? If your offerings are primarily classroom, how might mobile help you? Formal classroom training always will have a place—and some topics, such as leadership and sales training, are perfect for the instructor-led setting.

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Can you gain support for the necessary technology shift? Many talent development functions rely on the enterprise's IT group for support. In many situations, your technology support may come to you without substantial learning expertise, especially when it comes to implementing mobile learning.

Can you gain support for the necessary technology shift? Many talent development functions rely on the enterprise's IT group for support. In many situations, your technology support may come to you without substantial learning expertise, especially when it comes to implementing mobile learning.

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Successful implementation of mobile learning is not easy, and it's not inexpensive. If anyone promises you these two, be quite skeptical. It's important to consider these factors when it comes to the tech required:

Successful implementation of mobile learning is not easy, and it's not inexpensive. If anyone promises you these two, be quite skeptical. It's important to consider these factors when it comes to the tech required:

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Work backward. Start with your end users. What, if anything, do they currently have or use when it comes to mobile devices? Is it possible for them to access mobile learning resources while working? Is there company Wi-Fi and is it robust enough? Is it culturally acceptable for end users to access learning resources while working?

Work backward. Start with your end users. What, if anything, do they currently have or use when it comes to mobile devices? Is it possible for them to access mobile learning resources while working? Is there company Wi-Fi and is it robust enough? Is it culturally acceptable for end users to access learning resources while working?

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Assess your tech infrastructure. How do you plan to serve mobile content: web app or native app? Do you need to interoperate with any existing mobile content systems? What device-level operating systems should you support? Where will you store your mobile learning content? Does your current LMS support mobile learning? Do you need to link to content in other locations? How will you manage curated information?

Assess your tech infrastructure. How do you plan to serve mobile content: web app or native app? Do you need to interoperate with any existing mobile content systems? What device-level operating systems should you support? Where will you store your mobile learning content? Does your current LMS support mobile learning? Do you need to link to content in other locations? How will you manage curated information?

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Do you have a strategy for supporting social elements in your mobile learning applications? Mobile is inherently social. Understanding end-user behavior as it applies to mobile is important. Social elements such as texting, accessing social networks, searching for information, and viewing and replying to e-mail are expected. Static, one-way transmission of information is not the default when it comes to mobile.

Do you have a strategy for supporting social elements in your mobile learning applications? Mobile is inherently social. Understanding end-user behavior as it applies to mobile is important. Social elements such as texting, accessing social networks, searching for information, and viewing and replying to e-mail are expected. Static, one-way transmission of information is not the default when it comes to mobile.

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Can you implement the correct measures to justify the cost of mobile learning? Measuring the effectiveness of mobile learning is not as simple as implementing Kirkpatrick leveling. As you know, implementing mobile learning requires a significant investment in resources: both financial and in staff. You will need to provide cost justification and identify where and how performance improvement occurs.

Can you implement the correct measures to justify the cost of mobile learning? Measuring the effectiveness of mobile learning is not as simple as implementing Kirkpatrick leveling. As you know, implementing mobile learning requires a significant investment in resources: both financial and in staff. You will need to provide cost justification and identify where and how performance improvement occurs.

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Measuring true effectiveness of the learning solution itself will require you to obtain various levels of feedback from your end users, the business, and any other parties involved. The feedback also needs to be varied and include observation. In a dispersed implementation, this may be timely and require travel and potential business interruption. Additionally, you need to be able to gather usage metrics to identify how end users actually use the application.

Measuring true effectiveness of the learning solution itself will require you to obtain various levels of feedback from your end users, the business, and any other parties involved. The feedback also needs to be varied and include observation. In a dispersed implementation, this may be timely and require travel and potential business interruption. Additionally, you need to be able to gather usage metrics to identify how end users actually use the application.

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If your mobile learning is not mandatory, then what is the direct motivational element that will drive people to engage? Furthermore, how will you make them aware that your resource is there and can provide value to them during the workday? How do you factor in the cost of development? Will you outsource the development or build it in-house? Either way, you will need to determine how to find the balance in cost versus return on performance improvement.

If your mobile learning is not mandatory, then what is the direct motivational element that will drive people to engage? Furthermore, how will you make them aware that your resource is there and can provide value to them during the workday? How do you factor in the cost of development? Will you outsource the development or build it in-house? Either way, you will need to determine how to find the balance in cost versus return on performance improvement.

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Do you have the staff capabilities to successfully drive a mobile learning strategy and implementation? Even if you plan to outsource your mobile learning development, there are specific capabilities you need to help ensure your strategy is aligned to your business needs and is executable across your enterprise. If your plan is to design and develop mobile learning in-house, you will need to consider new skill sets for your team.

Do you have the staff capabilities to successfully drive a mobile learning strategy and implementation? Even if you plan to outsource your mobile learning development, there are specific capabilities you need to help ensure your strategy is aligned to your business needs and is executable across your enterprise. If your plan is to design and develop mobile learning in-house, you will need to consider new skill sets for your team.

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If you desire to design and develop mobile learning internally, consider the skill sets necessary: user experience (UX) design capability, front-end engineering (HTML, JavaScript, CSS development), and back-end engineering (database administration, programming skills). You also will need your instructional designers to understand mobile behavior patterns, and how to write for mobile. Graphic designers will need to understand designing for small screens and how to design for performance.

If you desire to design and develop mobile learning internally, consider the skill sets necessary: user experience (UX) design capability, front-end engineering (HTML, JavaScript, CSS development), and back-end engineering (database administration, programming skills). You also will need your instructional designers to understand mobile behavior patterns, and how to write for mobile. Graphic designers will need to understand designing for small screens and how to design for performance.

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If you outsource your design and development, you will find many capable companies that can provide stellar work. However, be sure that you and your IT business partner have a good understanding of software-as-a-service (SaaS) platforms, interoperability, and extensibility.

If you outsource your design and development, you will find many capable companies that can provide stellar work. However, be sure that you and your IT business partner have a good understanding of software-as-a-service (SaaS) platforms, interoperability, and extensibility.

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Read more from CTDO magazine : Essential talent development content for C-suite leaders.

Read more from CTDO magazine: Essential talent development content for C-suite leaders.