The Importance of the Learnerâ??s Environmental Context in the Design of M-Learning Products

Authors

  • David Guralnick Kaleidoscope Learning

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.3991/ijim.v2i1.157

Abstract


As mobile devices, such as PDAs, iPods, and mobile phones become more common, corporations are turning to mobile learning to improve employee performance. Todayâ??s m-learning designers often tend to borrow design ideas from their e-learning experience; many designs attempt to re-fit e-learning methodsâ??even e-learning productsâ??to a small screen. I suggest here that designers would be better served by considering the entire context in which learners will use a particular m-learning program. In this paper I describe two examples of m-learning designs that go well beyond the idea of refitting e-learning to a small screen and illustrate how these designs make use of the learnerâ??s environmental context. Finally, I propose a set of contextual factors designers should consider when designing m-learning products.

Author Biography

David Guralnick, Kaleidoscope Learning

David Guralnick holds a Ph.D. in computer science from Northwestern University, where his work synthesized concepts from the fields of computer science, instructional design, and cognitive psychology. Over the past fifteen years, he has designed and developed simulation-based training applications, electronic performance-support systems, and specialized authoring tools which allow non-technical people, such as writers and trainers, to build e-learning sites. The cornerstone of Dr. Guralnick's design philosophy is the concept of content-driven, goal-driven design ­ using the information and the needs of the end-users, rather than the technology, to lead the design process. Dr. Guralnick is president of New York-based Kaleidoscope Learning and is an Adjunct Professor at Columbia University. His work has been featured in Wired magazine, Training magazine (as an Editor’s Choice), and the Wall Street Journal.

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Published

2007-12-04

How to Cite

Guralnick, D. (2007). The Importance of the Learnerâ??s Environmental Context in the Design of M-Learning Products. International Journal of Interactive Mobile Technologies (iJIM), 2(1). https://doi.org/10.3991/ijim.v2i1.157

Issue

Section

Short Papers