How Mobile Computing has Changed Training
John R. Jones
Ashford University – INF103
Instructor: Mark Johnson

How Mobile Computing has Changed Training
The growth of mobile technologies has created numerous opportunities for learning and training development. Because mobile learning or mLearning allows for immediate access to materials, instantly collaborating on and discussing content enhances the learning experience. mLearning can also be used with other modalities to enhance on the job training, providing the learner with just-in-time tools and references.
History of
Traditional training is conducted in a classroom style environment with a number of students being taught at the same time in one location. With the introduction of synchronous virtual training, students could be all over the country or world; sitting in their offices or home to complete training. However, the training is still conducted with all the students attending a class at the same time. Similar to what is used at Ashford University, asynchronous training allows the student to develop new skills on their own timeframe and at their own pace. “The evolution in education and training at a distance can be characterised as a move from dLearning (distance learning) to eLearning (electronic learning) to mLearning (mobile learning).” (Keegan, Desmond 2002)
Mobile training or mLearning allows a learner to use a mobile device to access training content, complete training modules or games and collaborate with classmates or peers. mLearning could be completed as a stand-alone, self-study course or as part of a larger curriculum of which mLearning is only a part. Mobile learning is the first stage of using the globalization of the internet use to the “next generation” of learning. (Keegan, Desmond 2002)
Mobile Technologies
Mobile technologies continue to evolve with new tools, software and hardware being developed constantly. When it comes to hardware, Mark Bowles explains in Introduction to Digital Literacy, mobile computing began with laptops, netbooks and Ultrabooks; and then moved on to mobile phones, smart cards, GPS, and augmented reality. (Bowles, 2013). With each expanding iteration of hardware mobility, additional opportunities for mLearning are created. In the recent past, students evolved from taking notes on paper to typing notes into a laptop. That has evolved into taking notes on a tablet or even on their smartphones.
References
Last Name, F. M. (Year). Article Title. Journal Title, Pages From - To.
Last Name, F. M. (Year). Book Title. City Name: Publisher Name.

Footnotes
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Tables
Table 1
[Table Title] Column Head | Column Head | Column Head | Column Head | Column Head | Row Head | 123 | 123 | 123 | 123 | Row Head | 456 | 456 | 456 | 456 | Row Head | 789 | 789 | 789 | 789 | Row Head | 123 | 123 | 123 | 123 | Row Head | 456 | 456 | 456 | 456 | Row Head | 789 | 789 | 789 | 789 |
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Figures

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