4 Tips Helping You To Find A Partner To Develop Mobile Learning Modules
So, your organization has decided to jump on the mobile learning bandwagon? That’s great! The sooner we embrace this new medium for learning the better. However, in our hurry to implement mLearning in the organization, we should not lose sight of the end objective. What are we trying to achieve in the first place?
Perhaps, by implementing mobile learning we are trying to bring learning to employees when they need it or when they are most receptive to it. To ensure that this objective is met with success, we need to first ensure we are clear on all facets of mobile learning implementation before we approach an external partner for the development. What are these facets? Here we go…
1. Be Clear On Why And For Whom We Want To Implement Mobile Learning
Not all organizations or employees require mobile learning. If we are investing time and money on this, we better have a good reason to do so. Mobile learning would be a good option if we have a substantial number of deskless employees (delivery persons, field staff, site supervisors, machine operators, etc.) who do not have a fixed workplace, and the training does not really warrant that they are pulled out of their work routine for a sit-down classroom training.
If you have young employees such as field sales executives or service engineers, they are likely to benefit when timely content (how to troubleshoot a problem, product features) can be accessed via mobile devices. We have to identify our own reasons for going mobile.
Each organization is different and people working there are different. The profile of people working in the healthcare industry will be different from those who work in the construction industry. So, depending on our sector and profile of people working within the organization, we have to make a list of people who are ‘ideal contenders’ for mobile learning.
2. Zero-In On The Training Need Mobile Learning Will Address
Not all content is suitable for mobile learning. A new concept or subject is not the ideal content for mobile delivery. Mobile learning is best for reinforcement of knowledge that an employee already has.
For example, employees are already aware of safety precautions to take. They have attended a safety training program where they went through a fire drill and safety protocols for their specific jobs. However, there may be some tasks not performed regularly that require a safety protocol. This was shared in the classroom training but that was a while ago, and when an employee needs to perform this activity, it will help him/her to refresh the knowledge through a quick video or an infographic.
Sometimes, we may just want quick assessments (in the form of simple quizzes) employees can complete to verify their knowledge. So, when we approach a partner, we need to have an idea of the type of content we are looking for developing mobile learning modules. We also need to be clear if we want our courses to be compliant with SCORM guidelines. It is always a good idea to have the list ready to give the partner an idea of our expectations.
3. Think Of The Mobile Learning Formats That Would Be Suitable
Mobile learning need not always be in the form of typical eLearning modules. A video, an infographic, an eBook, or mobile apps and podcasts are some of the learning objects that can also be independently considered as mobile learning assets. Which format will work for us? If we have employees who are likely to access these knowledge bites while driving, a podcast will be a good option. For service engineers or technicians, simple "how-to" videos might be ideal.
Partners might suggest complicated simulations/animations or game-based applications as part of the mobile learning format. It is easy to get carried away by the razzmatazz that technology has to offer these days, but we need to give a thought and ask ourselves ‘do we really need it?’. If we are clear from our end, we will be in a better position during discussions with a potential mLearning partner.
4. Keep In Mind The Typical Time And Place Where Employees Will Access Content
We also need to be mindful of the device and locations from where your employees are likely to access the course content. The duration of the course content, the format, and layout of the course will depend on this. For example, if employees are likely to access the course via smartphones in busy public places, we will have to ensure that the touch areas are larger, audio is limited, and duration is reasonable and not too long (less than 5 mins). This is a good point to share during discussions with your mLearning partner because this will determine the instructional and design strategy of the course.
However, if employees are likely to access the course from their home when they are in better control of their surroundings, the design can be different. For such a situation, a simple conversion of eLearning courses to mLearning might just be fine. Else, a more comprehensive repurposing of content will be needed.
Even before we approach an eLearning partner, it is good to discuss internally and have a consensus on the above. Once we are clear on the above, we will be in a better position to share with the partner what we are looking for. We are less likely to be distracted by what is being discussed out there and more focused on what is essential for us.
