We are nearing the end of MDDE 623, Introduction to Mobile Learning at Athabasca University. For the final forum, we have been asked to move our forum posts onto WordPress. The topic – what will mobile learning look like in the future?
Considering what I do at this time, skills training is either done face-to-face, or through expensive simulators. In an effort to ensure costs are down, there is no access to simulators. However, with the advent of virtual reality (VR) or augmented reality (AR), I would think that the costs related to simulation will decrease as the technology advances and access to this technology increases. As an example, video production used to be very expensive. Now, with the advent of computers and the quality of cameras, 1080p and 4K videos can be produced relatively inexpensively. These may not be blockbuster films, but for the purpose of training in the public sector, videos are more accessible than ever.
One site I visited discussed wearable technology and the ability to put sensors in clothing (https://library.educause.edu/~/media/files/library/2012/5/erb1204-pdf.pdf). With VR glasses and a pair of gloves with sensors, safe patient handling and mobility training could be conducted at a distance using an open room. Obtaining separate equipment (i.e. mechanical lift, hospital bed) for training would not be necessary, nor would the unit have to give up equipment at times of training and go without access for patients.
With the advancement of technology, the methods to facilitate learning must also change. At present, even though institutions are investing in mobile access for learning, there is still resistance to change because teachers are still being taught how to teach in the classroom (http://classroom-aid.com/2014/02/18/what-is-the-future-of-mobile-learning-in-education-mlearning/#prettyPhoto). In order to keep up, educators have to educate themselves with the changes that are occurring. As the advances of technology continues to increase, this will probably be the limiting factor to how fast the pedagogies change to embrace the new technology.
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