The document discusses the creation of a mobile learning research network and community of practice called AVU MOBILEARN. It proposes that the community would bring together stakeholders interested in mobile learning practice and research. The community could undertake research studies on mobile learning, contribute to developing mobile learning applications, and promote collaboration between mobile learning initiatives. It also provides definitions of mobile learning and outlines aspects of learning design and analysis that should be considered to determine when mobile learning is appropriate.

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TOWARD A COMMUNITY OF
PRACTICE: THE AVU MOBILE
LEARNING INITIATIVE
DR. A. ATIENO ADALA
MANAGER, RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT
AFRICAN VIRTUAL UNIVERSITY (AVU)
2013 3rd International Conference of the AVU
Nairobi, KENYA
July 8th 2016

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WHAT IS THE WAY FORWARD?
•Conference theme:
Integrating Mobile Learning to
Open Up Access to Quality
Education and Training
Opportunities in Africa.
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WHAT IS A COMMUNITY OF PRACTICE
• Communities of practice are
groups of people who share a
passion for something that they
know how to do and who interact
regularly to learn how to do it
better.
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CREATE A COMMUNITY OF PRACTICE
• AVU proposing the creation of a mobile
learning research network (AVU
MOBILEARN)
• The creation of a CoP with an online
presence would create a platform that
brings together a stakeholder community
with an interest in mobile learning
practice and research.
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TOWARD A SHARED UNDERSTANDING
• To that end, the Advanced Distributed
Learning (ADL) Handbook (2015)
available online and published under a
creative commons license offers a
particularly useful tool kit when
getting started planning for a mobile
learning project.
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TOWARD A SHARED UNDERSTANDING
• the Definitions and Basics (Appendix
3) – has discussions around the
definition of mobile learning, benefits
of mobile learning, new ways of
thinking about design and delivery of
learning for mobile devices etc
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DEFINITIONS OF MOBILE LEARNING
• "Mobile learning should be restricted to learning on devices which a
lady can carry in her handbag or a gentleman can carry in his pocket
(Keegan, 2005)."
• "The exploitation of ubiquitous handheld technologies, together with
wireless and mobile phone networks, to facilitate, support, enhance
and extend the reach of teaching and learning (The Mobile Learning
Network (MoLeNET), 2014)."
• “The intersection of mobile computing (the application of small,
portable, and wireless computing and communication devices) and
e-learning (learning facilitated and supported through the use of
information (Quinn, 2000).”
• “Mobile learning is where a learner can be physically mobile while at
the same time remaining connected to non-proximate sources of
information, instruction, and data communications technology
(Woodill, 2010)."
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DEFINITION(S) OF MOBILE LEARNING
• “Leveraging ubiquitous mobile technology for the adoption or
augmentation of knowledge, behaviors, or skills through education,
training, or performance support while the mobility of the learner may
be independent of time, location, and space.”
• This description is intentionally generalized to allow for a growing number
of mobile learning scenarios as well as future capabilities of new
technology and device types.
• Koole (2009) states that key defining features of mobile learning are that it
“… provides enhanced collaboration among learners, access to
information, and a deeper contextualization of learning”.
• The Mobile Learning Handbook: Advanced Distributed Learning
• https://sites.google.com/a/adlnet.gov/mobile-learning-guide/home/
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FRONT END ANALYSIS
• Front-end Analysis (Appendix 4) - A determination of
the users and their needs and interests should be one
of the first steps.
• The steps in mobile learning needs analysis are similar
to those you would follow in any other project, with
some specific considerations for mobile learning.
• Appendix 4 provides a representation of some of the
analysis questions that one would ask for a mobile
learning project.
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LEARNING DESIGN: ANALYSIS
• Learning Design (Appendix 5) – Are new instructional
design models needed for mobile learning?
• ADL notes that of special importance are the
considerations and decision nodes in the analysis
process that may lead development teams to choose
mobile learning as the optimal solution.
• Without adequate consideration, there is a risk of
developing a mobile learning solution to a problem
for which it is not appropriate or forgo a mobile
solution where one is needed.
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FIVE MOMENTS OF LEARNING NEED?
• ADL presents a review of the Five Moments of Learning
that could help to form a learning strategy and
determine where mobile learning may be appropriate.
• When learning for the first time
• When wanting to learn more
• When trying to remember
• When things change
• When something goes wrong
• Which moments are most appropriate for delivery on a
mobile device for your learners? What materials would
be most appropriate at their moments of need?
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WHO SHOULD MAKEUP THE COP
Identify stakeholders across the possible range of roles in
mobile learning practice including
• Researchers & learners (from the PI),
• instructional designers, course developers and subject
matter experts
• faculty/instructors,
• app developers, m-learning system providers,
• mobile device manufacturers/distributors etc.
• Policy makers and institutional leadership,
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INCLUDE EXPERTS & NOVICES
• It is important to include those with experience in m-
learning projects.
• The involvement of institution (for example open and
distance universities) that might have already
deployed m-learning offer an opportunity for
collaboration between those who have experience
and those who are just getting started
• as a community of practice should involve both
novices and experts
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DESIGN/DEVELOP A PORTAL WEBSITE
Create a portal/website for AVU MOBILEARN. This
would be a platform to host
• webinars/workshops,
• share information, best practices, resources,
announce events, administer online surveys etc.
• Beyond providing a forum for the CoP, the website
would give visibility to the project for purposes of
mobilizing resources and funding.
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WHAT OBJECTIVES FOR THE COP?
• Undertake research studies on mobile
learning?
• Contribute to and facilitate the
development of applications for mobile
learning?
• Promote partnership-building and
collaboration with other mobile learning
initiatives.
• Suggestions?
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PARTNERSHIP & COLLABORATION IDEAS
• Partner Institutions could put in place a committee of researchers
already engaged or interested in mobile learning to analyze the concept
note
• Conduct joint studies e.g. mobile learning
• Funding to support research/conference (BRING YOUR OWN BUDGET)
• Develop database of expertise and hold joint workshops
• Identify opportunities for joint funding for research activities such as in
OER, mobile learning etc.
• Considerations for how to commercialize innovations
• Collaborate of publications for example special issues on mobile
learning
• Respond to Call for Reviewers & Papers