Mobile Phones

Mobile technologies and learning
A technology update and m-learning project summary Jill Attewell Technology Enhanced Learning Research Centre

Our m-learning project partners

Mobile technologies and learning
A technology update and m-learning project summary Jill Attewell Technology Enhanced Learning Research Centre

Our m-learning project partners

Published by the Learning andSkills Development Agency www.LSDA.org.uk Registered with the Charity Commissioners LSDA is committed to providing publications that are accessible to all. To request additional copies of this publication or a different format please contact: Information Services Learning and Skills Development Agency Regent Arcade House 19–25 Argyll Street London W1F 7LS. Tel +44 (0) 20 7297 9144 Fax +44 (0) 20 72979242 enquiries@LSDA.org.uk Copyeditor: Nick Sweeney Designer: David Shaw and associates Photographs: Tim Hall/Getty Images (outside front cover); Andreas Pollok/Getty Images (outside back cover); © 2004. The RIM and BlackBerry family of related marks, images and symbols are the exclusive properties of and trademarks of Research In Motion – used by permission (BlackBerry page 3) Printer: BlackmoreLtd, Shaftesbury, Dorset 041923RS/04/05/2500 ISBN 1-84572-140-3 © Learning and Skills Development Agency 2005 You are welcome to copy this publication for internal use within your organisation. Otherwise, no part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, electrical, chemical, optical, photocopying, recording orotherwise, without prior written permission of the copyright owner. Further information For further information about the issues discussed in this publication please contact: Jill Attewell Manager, Technology Enhanced Learning Research Centre Learning and Skills Development Agency. Tel +44 (0) 20 7297 9100 jattewell@LSDA.org.uk The m-learning project and this publication were supported by theLearning and Skills Council as part of a grant to the Learning and Skills Development Agency for a programme of research and development. The m-learning project was supported by the European Commission Information Society and Media Directorate-General (IST 2000-25270).

Contents
Preface Section 1 Section 2 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 Section 3 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 Section 4 4.1 4.2 4.3 Section 5 Introduction Mobilephone technology update Mobile phones Infrastructure Viruses Health and safety The m-learning project m-learning project platforms and systems m-learning project materials Learner research and systems trials Key findings Lessons learned Handsets and infrastructure Learning materials and systems development Mentor training and support The MLEARN international conferences References 1 2 2 4 4 5 6 6 810 12 16 16 16 17 18 19

Preface
In 2001, when the m-learning project commenced, few people knew about the concept of mobile learning or, indeed, could envisage the potential of mobile devices for learning. The m-learning project – funded by the European Commission, the project partners and (in England) the Learning and Skills Council – was considered highly innovative and unusual. It not onlyinvolved developing learning materials to run on handheld devices in a time of rapid technological development, but also targeted reluctant young adult learners with poor literacy or numeracy. I am delighted that the Learning and Skills Council has been closely involved with this research and development project, and I am even more delighted at the many innovative and exciting ways that have beenidentified through the project for making learning more accessible and appropriate for all learners. Key findings from the learner research and systems trials phase of the project are included in this publication. These findings indicate that mobile devices can be used successfully to involve some of the hardest to reach and most disadvantaged young adults in learning. As a result, and especially...