Mobile Devices and Fluid Learning

Christina Moore from Oakland University is a faculty instructional designer and engaging presenter. Moore recorded a session for the 2020 Lilly Conference entitled: “Now Is the Time to Embrace Mobile Learning” and writing a June 2020 article for EduCause on the topic. I loved the slide design and interactivity of the session: slides were simple black backgrounds with crisp white text or super large percentages for data and facts. A link to a Google Doc handout is available at: tinyurl.com/MobileLearningLilly for reflection, resources, and links. Moore presented data on mobile phone use from several national surveys… but first made us predict or guess the answers! It is clear that most Americans age 18-29 own smartphones (96%), however, less obvious is that one in five American adults are smartphone-only internet users! Smartphone dependent users are younger adults, non-whites, and lower-income Americans. These statistics are from the PEW Research Center Mobile Facts Sheet from 2019. Moore pointed out that smartphone dependent users often fit the demographics of college students. An ECAR 2019 report indicated that few students reported being encouraged by instructors to use mobile technology for their learning. Moore presented a quote from the Tobin and Behling 2018 book I enjoyed explaining that all who use mobile devices for problem solving and information gathering on a daily basis could be considered mobile learners. What Moore pointed out is the missed opportunity to intentionally use mobile technology for learning. Examples provided of mobile-friendly intentional learning resources included podcasts, GoogleDocs (and using the voice-to-text note taking feature to capture information), strategic use of social media, Kindle books… Moore introduced a mobile learning framework and the principles of fluid learning by Fang 2014. The five principles of fluid learning are:

  • Neutrality. GoogleDocs and documents that scale to or are responsive in different devices.
  • Granularity. Kindle books and short articles. Takes learning and puts it in smaller pieces that can be accessed readily when chunks of time are available.
  • Portability. Podcasts. The learning opportunity can be accessed on different devices.
  • Interactivity. Slack. The opportunity to receive timely feedback either through a messaging system or automated feedback.
  • Ubiquity. Voice-to-text feature. Can easily access or capture learning opportunities wherever you are.

Fluid learning principles help highlight how learning can happen in a continuum beyond classes and the Learning Management System (LMS). Moore asked participants: does your LMS have an app and how many students in your course/school use it? I have no idea and would love to know! I’ll have to ask. Moore challenged us to leverage valuable learning opportunities and use mobile devices more effectively for learning. Using a quote from the Tobin and Behling 2018 book, Moore asked: how can we teach students who may only have spare time here and there for their learning? The presentation ended with nine great recommendations from Moore:

  • Reflect on how you use mobile technology.
  • Select neutral modes of content.
  • Provide video and reading time estimates.
  • Allow students to choose a mode of expression for one assignment.
  • Explicitly explain to students how they can use their phones intentionally for learning activities for your course.
  • Offer additional communication beyond email that is mobile-friendly.
  • Ask students what apps they are using for informal learning.
  • From an idea Christina Moore developed and published (2016), ask students to put together individually or in groups a mobile learning kit to achieve the course learning objectives.
  • Browse preexisting content that is mobile-friendly.

Christina Moore made me rethink and consider which tools I ask students to use that are not mobile-friendly. I know I do have some! even the social annotation tool we use has some limitations. I am trying to use GoogleDocs and mobile-friendly videos, but several other components still do not work well on all devices. The term fluid learning really resonated with me, and I will look into the Fang 2014 article mentioned. The statistics on mobile device use were thought-provoking. Christina Moore did convince me that now is the time to embrace mobile learning… or at least figure out what our students are using and how the LMS works on devices used by students!

Woman with laptop open and holding smartphone.
Mobile learning cannot be overlooked now. How can we use mobile devices intentionally for learning in alignment with course learning objectives?