Running head: MOBILE LEARNING

Distance Learning While Focusing on Mobile Learning

Schquita Ferges
September 29, 2015
EDUC 631- B03
Dr. Jennifer Courduff

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Abstract

Distance education learning is on the rise with plenty of options for learners to
experience. There have been numerous of studies and surveys composed on students who
choose to take the distance learning approach. Distance learning in the higher education
setting also offers a variety of different forms of learning. With several different reasons
as to why distance learning is the best mobile learning has turned into a trending topic in
the distance education world. Mobile learning has opened up many doors to those who
face troubled situations in the distance education avenue. Higher education students have
also learned the benefits as well as the downfalls with mobile learning. Mobile learning is
an extension to a new way of accessing distance learning materials and courses. Benefits
of mobile learning have increased the positive statistics in distance education. Mobile
learning will continue to change over time as different learning techniques evolve over
the next decades.

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Distance Education

Definition of Distance Learning

Distance education is defined as formal education where the instructor and
students are connected by telecommunication systems that are interactive (Simonson,
Smaldino, Albright, & Zvacek, 2012). One important concept in distance learning is the
fact that the teacher and student are separated. Distance learning has grown over the
decades and since it is so popular, it will continue to grow for years to come. Many
people have different reasons as to why distance learning is best for them. Distance
learning can be a preferred method of learning for many reasons. The Internet offers a lot
of different programs and learning techniques that help with the learning experience as
well as offer a lot of guidance to increase knowledge (Macaulay, 2012). There are
benefits as well as downfalls to distance learning. Education is important in the United
States so educators have spent decades coming up with new ways to enhance and offer
education like online learning.
Definition of Mobile Learning
Mobile learning is a form of distance learning that is generally used on a mobile
device or personal electronic device. People engage in distance learning through mobile
learning on cell phones, tablets, laptops, and other mobile devices. Increasing device
technology and functionality, along with the emergence of improved tools and technology
for content development lead to increasing demand for mobile devices to deliver learning
applications (Little, 2013, p.26). Mobile learning is growing and becoming a trend in the
distance-learning world rapidly. Teachers are able to maximize the effect t of mobile
learning by thinking of ways to integrate mobile learning inside and outside the learning

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environment (Hockly, 2013). The convenience of mobile learning is one of the top
reasons why people engage in distance learning. Mobile learning is also more relevant
now because of affordability of electronic devices. The cost of electronics are becoming
more affordable so more people are investing these devices and are utilizing these devices
in a lot of areas in their life like banking and education. Mobile learning is taking
education to a new level with all of the advancements with software and apps that are
available.
Technology Growing in Virtual Schools and Universities
As times are changing so is education and its relationship with technology. A lot
of colleges and universities are starting to offer online courses as a learning alternative.
There are a lot of benefits for having courses offered in an online setting. Many
universities and students are looking for lifelong learning and learners are finding ways to
not be tied down based on location (Sharples, 2000). Universities are learning that
offering courses virtually will increase enrollment and give students a different learning
environment. Some students work best independently and also work best when they can
pace their learning best on their learning preferences. Reasons like those mentioned
above and many more are helping the distance education world. Virtual schools and
universities are creating opportunities for every student no matter what the barriers they
may face.
Virtual universities are made mobile but still offer the same quality learning
experience as your traditional college learning experience. The instructor teaches in the
virtual classroom and still gives out the same information as he would in the face-to-face
classroom. The only thing that changes is the location of the classroom, the learning and

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the learning material stays the same. Students can also personalized their learning
experience, which is also a seller to students who would like to work towards an
education via mobile learning. Virtual education is booming in businesses for training
opportunities and learning opportunities for billions of companies. Virtual education is
not only limited to colleges and universities but also businesses are benefitting for virtual
education.
Does Mobile Learning Cost More or Cost Less
Mobile learning help students with the flexibility of time but whether the cost is
effective or not is debatable. A lot of online universities have developed over the years
offering degrees strictly through an online system. Public universities and colleges have
moved or are moving towards online degrees as well. The cost of taking online courses is
debatable. Some people feel going to an online education makes it more affordable
because they can work and earn income while gaining an education. A total of 63 students
were surveyed based on how they feel about mobile learning and if they found it to be
beneficial in all areas and overall the leading results favored students finding their mobile
learning to be beneficial (Motiwalla, 2007). Online universities tend to cost more for
tuition than local public university may cost. Public universities are normally less
expensive but require you to have to limit your schedule. Virtual learning is making it
easier for people to be able to attend school and work at the same time.
Advantages of Mobile Learning
Mobile learning is taking off very rapidly and will continue to change over the
upcoming years. Making learning an opportunity for everyone no matter location or any
barriers they may have. Location sometimes can become a barrier for someone wanting

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to go back to school. Mobile learning provides accessibility no matter of the location,

which is a huge advantage. Mobile learning is also available anytime of the day making
assignments easier to complete. There are many different resources, applications, and
programs available to universities and students that offer additional resources and
practice that cost little to nothing. Taking advantage of resources and these applications
enhance the learning experience of students (Troutner, 2010). If someone works better at
night they have access to their courses through mobile learning. Mobile learning also
provides the opportunity of working at your own pace. If there is a section or particular
lesson that someone is struggling on he or she can work at their own pace to be able to
learn the material. Some people like to do their work and get it over with which also
provides the advantage of mobile learning.
Instructors are able to update material and announcements quickly to their
students. Being able to send e-mail or to keep materials updated is easier through distance
education. Some programs can even alert the students when important information
pertaining to the course is available. This is an advantage because in the traditional
classroom setting updates could take weeks or only when the course meets. Mobile
learning also stimulates active learning for students. As an online student I have found
that I have to work just a tad bit harder than what I did when I was in the traditional
classroom setting. Working harder increases the students responsibility. Although selfpace is good but student responsibility is required for online education. The student have
to set goals and deadlines to make sure they meet the assignment deadline. Another
advantage is equality in the classroom. Some people become discourage about the
traditional classroom setting because of various reasons like learning disorders.

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Classroom equality help alleviate that fear of classroom fears. A final advantage that I
would like to look at is the fact that the university benefit from being able to support a
large number of students. Online courses are normally easier to hold more students than a
traditional classroom setting. Since a physical person is not needed at specific times it is
easier to add more adjunct professors to teach the online course. Overall mobile learning
and distance education offers a lot of advantages to colleges and students.
Disadvantages of Mobile Learning
Just as everything has a positive effect, often times there are negative components
as well. One common disadvantage of mobile learning is the cost that it may establish. In
order to make mobile learning successful you first have to have a working mobile device.
It is the students responsibility to have made sure the mobile device meet the
compatibility required for the course. Sometimes the student has to pay for subscriptions
and different software to make the mobile device compatible. Internet fees and cost are
also associated with using mobile learning. Many times students have different mobile
devices they can rely on like a cell phone, tablet and laptop. Sometimes sizes of the
mobile device can become a disadvantage as well. Students must think ahead and plan for
unexpected mishaps like computer breaking downing, viruses, and Internet service going
down. These are all disadvantages that can make mobile learning challenging. Distance
education requires motivation and responsibility of the student. Students have a little
more responsibility when they do distance education because they have to work at their
own place. A lot of students find that they procrastinate and that they sometimes need
more teacher guidance. Sometimes there is delayed communication with the instructors
and feedback is not immediate. In distance learning you have to wait for the instructor to

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respond and interact so that can also be a disadvantage as well. People sometimes learn
that distance learning format is not the ideal learning environment for them and they learn
better in a seated course. Overall there is way more advantages than disadvantages for
distance learning.
Conclusion
Overall there are a lot of benefits for distance education and mobile learning for
students, colleges, instructors, and universities. There are numerous of benefits that the
student receives by having the option of creating an online learning experience. A study
conducted of 116 adult students show that they actually receive satisfaction from e
learning (Wang, 2003). Students are able to get a quality education online without the
demand of physically being in the classroom. Online colleges are growing and entering
the accreditation of offering college degrees are steadily increasing over the years.
Technology has taken businesses and education to a new level with all of the new
technology developments that allows learning virtually anywhere at any time. When a
student put God first they are able to take their personal goals to any level.
Conference Presentation
The distance learning administration conference of 2016 is a conference that I
would present my paper to. The conference will focus on information that administration
could use to enhance their online education program. My paper can show them the
importance of distance learning and how students are engaging via mobile devices. This
opportunity will give me the chance to explain and prove the importance of distance
education. There are a lot of statistics and data in my paper that will prove that mobile

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technology is growing. Offering suggestions to the administrators will also be beneficial
to the conference.

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References

Hockly, N. (2013). Mobile learning. ELT Journal: English Language Teachers Journal,
67(1), 80-84.
Little, B. (2013). Issues in mobile learning technology. Human Resource Management
International Digest, 21(3), 26-29.
Macaulay, A. (2012). Adventures in distance learning. Journal of Public Mental Health,
11(1), 39-42.
Motiwalla, L. (2007). Mobile learning: A framework and evaluation. Computers &
Education, 49(3), 581-596.
Sharples, M. (2009). The design of personal mobile technologies for lifelong learning.
Troutner, J. (2010). Mobile learning. Teacher Librarian, 38(1), 44-55.
Wang, Y. (2003). Assessment of learner satisfaction with asynchronous electronic
learning systems. Information and Management, 41(1), 75-86.