Mobile Learning Technologies

     Mobile technologies provide the ability for learners to use their wireless devices for the purpose of learning. Examples of these devices include smartphones, laptops, tablets, and personal media players (Park, 2011). These technologies place learning at the fingertips of the user. Learners are engaged with each other and learning resources outside of the traditional classroom (Koszalka & Ntloedibe-Kuswani, 2010). I will be exploring both smartphones and webinars. Smartphones represent mobile learning technology hardware while webinars represent software.

Smartphones
     Smartphones are cellular phones that can perform many functions of a computer. They normally have a touchscreen interface for navigation, ability to access the internet, and the ability to run downloaded applications. Users can check email, send text messages, browse the internet, share information and pictures online, and manage phone calls (Bonk, 2009).
     The iPhone (www.apple.com/iphone) is the most popular brand of a smartphone with increasing technology and enhancements made regularly. Currently, the iPhone just released its 7th version. The enhancements to this version include improved battery life, enhanced speakers, and water resistance (Apple, 2016).
     The use of smartphones to support learning has become an ongoing discussion among adult educators.
The majority of adult learners own this type of device and use it for many purposes, so why not add learning to mix?
     Since smartphones have the ability to access the internet and download "apps", it makes the concept of on-the-go learning a reality for adult learners and educators. Adult learners can use their device in class to access the internet to access information relevant to the course content. Adult educators can also provide "apps" for learners to download and use to supplement their learning. Bonk (2009) stated, "The iPhone and other smartphones represent a portable learning device that is a key driver for the current learning revolution" (p. 299).

Webinars
     A webinar is a virtual instructor led training session that is conducted via the internet with specific software. Most often these sessions are conducted live to allow for interactivity between the adult educator and learners. However, in some cases it can be recorded for unlimited learner access. Ideally, webinars should focus on specific topics that can be delivered within short time frames in order to maintain learner engagement. Learners are able to be far away from educators and classmates, while cyberspace brings everyone together (Bonk, 2009).
     iMeetLive (imeetlive.pgi.com/ppc-iml-trial-lp259?) offers cloud-based webinars that only requires access to a browser. This allows learners to access without having to download any software.  This software is also configured to allow for webinar access and viewing on any mobile device. iMeetLive allows for up to 10,000 participants with the ability to customize registrations (iMeetLive, 2016). Webinar hosts have the ability to stream video, survey learners, take polls, and animate PowerPoint slides (iMeetLive, 2016).
     The use of this mobile technology software is great for reinforcing and introducing specific topics within the course content. It is also a great tool to leverage to keep learners engaged and provide learning opportunities outside of the classroom. Overall, this software fosters learner engagement and increases interaction (iMeetLive, 2016).



References:

Bonk, C. J. (2009). The world is open: How web technology is revolutionizing 
     education. San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass.
iMeetLive by PGi. (2016). PGi. Retrieved from http://imeetlive.pgi.com/ppc-iml-trial-
     lp259?.
Koszalka, T. A., & Ntloedibe-Kuswani, G. S. (2010). Literature on the safe and 
     disruptive learning potential of mobile technologies. Distance Education, 31(2), 
     139–157.
Park, Y. (2011). A pedagogical framework for mobile learning: Categorizing 
     educational applications of mobile technologies into four types. International 
     Review of Research in Open and Distance Learning, 12(2), 78–102.
This is 7. (2016). iPhone. Retrieved from http://www.apple.com/iphone/.