In June's Always Learning  Webinar, The Role of Mobile in Formal and Social Learning, host Bryan Chapman  and guest A.J. Ripin  discussed the convergence of mobile in formal and social learning.  At the top of the discussion, Bryan made the point that many learning professionals often label mobile as an elearning modality.  He then stated that today's discussion will challenge that assumption through A.J.'s illustration of various ways mobile devices are being used in organizations around the world.  A.J. and Bryan demonstrated that there are many ways to leverage mobile technology using three organizations - Tyco, Google, Haiti Relief - as examples of just a few.

Within ADT Worldwide, a business unit of Tyco, field technicians are responsible for providing support on more than 350 pieces of equipment.  One example shared by Bryan and A.J. was from a pilot program, where technicians in the field are able to get content directly related to a specific ticket or support issue.  This content can walk them through tasks, show them relevant images or provide additional content that enables them to resolve issues faster.  Additional features included technicians tapping into the audio and texting abilities of the devices to enable field techs to record audio or type in notes about items that come up in the field.  Content that can't be taught in the classroom can now be captured by technicians and shared with peers and other support personnel.  In this example, ADT Worldwide is looking to take advantage of mobile devices to support both formal and social learning to drive customer satisfaction.

Google uses mobile in an entirely different way to support a broader curriculum presented in virtual classrooms.  Here, mobile, in the form of email, is used as an add-on to augment the training, as course participants are assigned tasks to complete in the week after the initial virtual classroom setting.  These interactions can consist of engaging with emails on their devices, responding to polls or general questions and other tasks.  Google even incorporated a scoring system and leader board generated by responses to interactions, which they've seen drive up participation and engagement.  The idea is to keep the content in its original location, but, connect the learners to the content more quickly and easily through targeted e-mail.

The last organization they briefly discussed was a current research project, Haiti Relief and its Aid Tracker application.  After being certified into the relief effort, participants get the Aid Tracker which has an overlay of important information over a map of Haiti.  Using the overlay, users are able to see important updates organized into categories and displayed with different symbols.  Information is up to the minute and can help guide efforts such as where to send water, food or repair personnel based on areas of highest need.  In this case, the use of mobile devices to share information is an invaluable component of the relief effort.

Lastly, A.J. touched on another real value of mobile devices as they apply to learning, Intervention Spacing.  Learning experts have known for years that repitition of content is one of the two best ways to ensure learning sticks (the other is relevance).  A.J. demonstrated that with nearly everyone carrying a device these days, they are a perfect tool for providing regular reminders to help individuals remember and retain knowledge.

The full Always Learning webinar The Role of Mobile in Formal and Social learning is available in the OutStart Resource Center.