The value of mobile technology in teaching and learning;

Mobile learning is the delivery of learning, education or learning support on mobile phones, PDAs or tablets.
New mobile technology, such as hand-held based devices, is playing a large role in redefining how we receive information. The recent advances in mobile technology are changing the primary purpose of mobile devices from making or receiving calls to retrieving the latest information on any subject. "Numerous agencies including the government agencies are using such technology"

Classroom applications combine the use of handheld computers, PDAs, smartphones or handheld voting systems (such as clickers) with traditional resources. (Tremblay 2010). This enables the student to learn skills in which can be transferred once in the workplace. In today's society it is becoming increasingly evident that technology and its place in society is the future.

Mobile devices(such as a Pocket PC) in the classroom can be used to enhance group working among students through communication applications, interactive displays, and video features.

• Existing mobile technology can replace what can be seen as old fashioned resources such as textbooks, visual aids, and presentation technology.
• Interactive and multi-mode technology allows students to engage and manipulate information.
• Mobile Device features with WIFI capabilities allow for on-demand access to information.
• Access to classroom activities and information on mobile devices provides a n oppourtunity for learning inside and outside the classroom.

Mobile devices can be used in brick-and-mortar or online settings to enhance learning experiences.

• The mobile phone (through text SMS notices) can be used especially for distance learning or with students whose courses require them to be highly mobile and in particular to communicate information regarding availability of assignment results, venue changes and cancellations, etc. It can also be of value to business people, e.g. sales representatives who do not wish to waste time away from their busy schedules to attend formal training events.
• Mobile devices provides an opportunity for online interaction between educator and student, and student to student.
• Blended learning takes the classroom out of a traditional brick-and-mortar setting. Students become part of virtual communities used for working together. 

Podcasting

Podcasting consists of listening to audio recordings of lectures. It can be used to review live lectures  and to provide opportunities for students to rehearse oral presentations. Podcasts may also provide additional information to make traditional lectures more interesting.

In the workplace

M-learning in a workplace can be very different from a school's context. Although employees do occasionally attend face to face training events, the majority of work-based learning happens on the job, often at the moment of need. Because of this, m-learning is being used in a wider range of modes:

• On the job training for someone who accesses training on a mobile device.
• Just in time training to solve a problem or gain an update.
• Performance support. Immediate access to tools to streamline a work-task
• Reference guides and ebooks
• Checklists

Due to the very different training needs across a large company, self-serve learning is more common than is found at the school, or college level. Mobile is seen as an effective way to reach a large number of employees easier and more effectively.

Lifelong learning and self-learning

Mobile technologies and approaches, i.e. Mobile Assisted Language Learning (MALL), are also used to assist in language learning. For instance handheld computers, cell phones, and podcasting  have been used to help people acquire and develop language skills.

Other ways in which technology may be used are:

• Improving levels of literacy, numeracy, and participation in education amongst young adults.
• Using the communication features of a mobile phone as part of a larger learning activity, e.g.: sending media or texts into a central portfolio, or exporting audio files from a learning platform to your phone.
• Developing workforce skills and readiness among youth and young adults.

The value of mobile learning is argued to be :
Tutors who have used m-learning programs and techniques have made the following value statements in favor of m-learning.

• It is important to bring new technology into the classroom.
• Devices used are more lightweight than books and PCs.
• Mobile learning can be used to diversify the types of learning activities students partake in (or a blended learning approach).
• Mobile learning supports the learning process rather than being integral to it.
• Mobile learning can be a useful add-on tool for students with special needs. However, for SMS and MMS this might be dependent on the students’ specific disabilities or difficulties involved.
• Mobile learning can be used as a ‘hook’ to re-engage disaffected youth.

Therefore the benefits can be seen as :

• Relatively inexpensive opportunities, as the cost of mobile devices are significantly less than PCs and laptops
• Multimedia content delivery and creation options
• Continuous and situated learning support
• Decrease in training costs
• Potentially a more rewarding learning experience

With all things considered the value of mobile technology in teaching and learning appears to be immeasurable and has become a prop in which education of today relies on.

(Trembley 2010)

(microsoft 2011)