Mobile Learning For Faster Skill Development
More than 66% of people use smartphones regularly, and for the most of them it’s a primary way to access the internet and interact with content, making it a large trend. Therefore, mobile learning is a powerful tool to enhance skill learning in different areas. As we’ll see, its interactive nature enables quick learning of different skillsets, with higher knowledge retention and learner satisfaction. Let’s start with a short excursion into its history and then review how mobile learning can empower your company in different areas.
Evolution Of Mobile Learning
It was not until the late 2000s that mobile learning started to become routine in the most tech-savvy corporations. However, the first research was made as far back as the 1970s by Xerox, designing small pocket computers specifically for storing learning content. The idea was ahead of its time and, therefore, failed. When mobile phones started to spread in the 2000s, they started to be used to access content quickly. However, their tasks were usually limited to reading textbooks or watching small videos using them, while all main activities were still conducted in classrooms.
In 2011, the mobile language learning app, Duolingo, was released. This was a mobile education milestone. With its unique streak-based mechanics and interactive, gamified microlearning sessions, users are motivated to enter the app each day to protect and prolong their streak. The app became a billion-dollar business and revolutionized the mobile learning industry. Nowadays, it has more than 100 million monthly active users and about half a billion non-active ones.
Many further apps, such as Mimo for learning how to code, adopted this streak-based microlearning gamification mechanics, and it can also be a robust mechanism for your own corporate education. It enables combining work and learning routines seamlessly, using the learn-as-you-go approach. As employees aren’t required to allocate their time for classroom or computer-based studies, they can focus on work and use their smartphone to learn new information—and practice it immediately after.
No wonder that around 67% of U.S. companies have already integrated mobile learning, at least partially. Being on trend is always beneficial, but when using all the benefits provided by a mobile Learning Management System (LMS), your competitive advantage becomes much more prominent.
Key Skills Shaped By Mobile Learning Platforms
So, there are different areas where mobile education can be helpful. It increases employee retention by over 45%, being a tool to unite and upskill your teams with a personalized approach for each learner. Let’s look closer.
Digital Literacy
Digital literacy is crucial for employees to navigate the increasingly digital workplace—and you would be surprised to know how much people require such seemingly obvious training. According to a 2019 report by the Pew Research Center, only about 40% of Americans could answer basic questions about digital tools correctly. It highlights a significant gap in digital skills that organizations must address. And that’s where mobile solutions are the best fit, as interactive smartphones are much easier to master!
Mobile learning platforms can provide tailored training programs that cover everything from basic computer skills to advanced software applications, ensuring that employees are equipped to leverage digital tools effectively. Moreover, mobile learning allows for continuous access to resources, enabling employees to learn at their own pace and revisit materials as needed. This flexibility is essential in a fast-paced corporate environment, where technology is constantly evolving. Companies that invest in digital literacy training not only enhance employee productivity but also foster a culture of innovation and adaptability, which is vital for long-term success in a digital-first world.
Cybersecurity
Mobile learning can be utilized to deliver engaging, bite-sized cybersecurity modules that educate employees about recognizing phishing attempts and managing passwords securely. A lack of cyber hygiene among employees is a significant factor in cybersecurity breaches, underscoring the importance of training. With mobile-based, interactive simulations and gamified learning experiences, such training is interesting and focuses on real-world situations instead of being a boring memorizing of rules.
Soft Skills
Communication, teamwork, leadership, and emotional intelligence are essential for effective collaboration in the workplace. According to research, 85% of work success depends on such soft skills! They are extremely practice-oriented, as they’re all about people and interactions with them. Mobile learning uses interactive content, role-playing exercises, and peer feedback mechanisms to ensure the efficient learning of them. Moreover, such social learning allows employees to connect with peers and mentors to discuss challenges and insights. It strengthens workplace relationships, contributing to a more cohesive organizational culture.
Creative Skills
Mobile learning can support the development of creative skills by introducing techniques like design thinking frameworks and brainstorming. Mobile devices are a perfect fit to capture ideas just after realizing them and to collaborate on projects in real time, fostering a culture of innovation within the organization. All of that means higher flexibility, constant development, and a better market fit for the company. Using a mobile LMS enables you to choose only the features you need, so you can create your personalized learning engine to boost your teams’ creativity.
Critical Thinking
For effective decision-making and problem-solving, we need to think critically, analyzing all arising issues and solving them as they come up. Together with creativity, it’s what turns an endless flow of information into efficient and productive innovations. Mobile learning platforms can provide quick access to case studies, simulations, and problem-solving scenarios that challenge employees to think critically and analyze information from multiple perspectives. It not only enhances their analytical skills but also prepares them to make informed decisions in complex situations. All of this can be organized without detaching employees from work, ensuring they’re upskilling themselves constantly.
Project Management
With its interactive learning sessions, connected with immediate practice after each, employees can easily learn and practice best project management methodologies, such as Agile and Scrum, through mobile platforms. That’s how organizations can ensure that their employees can manage projects efficiently. It not only increases your overall productivity but also improves employee satisfaction and makes them much more cooperative and innovative. The best example is Tesla, where not just managers, but all employees without exception are proficient in project management.
Technical Expertise
From coding to robotics, tech expertise is a critical asset for employees working in different areas. While advanced training requires different approaches, mobile learning is a perfect supplement for it, as it enables learning without leaving work. It can provide on-demand access to training resources, tutorials, demonstrations, and industry-specific knowledge that enables employees to stay current with technological developments. They can try new approaches and learn new skills while completing their work responsibilities and being in constant sync with their mentors and managers.
With task management and targeted motivation features, it’s possible to create a personalized competency increase plan for each employee, connect it with their workflow, and manage them as they go, rewarding them for their achievements. Employees obtain appreciation and better career prospects, while you obtain loyal talents that increase your company’s value.
Future Trends
With mass smartphone adoption and quick personalized mobile LMS development, mobile learning approach will become more and more popular. When combined with modern advanced technologies, the potential of these new tools increases manyfold. For example, generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) can be used to create learning content, infographics, and even videos with cleverly designed prompts, which can the be used in mobile education. AI can also help proceed with learner feedback quickly. And that’s just the beginning. While most companies are already adopting it, only a few of them have created their own mobile learning framework to ensure the loyalty and proficiency of their employees in different areas. So, you have a chance to gain the advantage.
Editor’s Note: Check out our directory to find, choose, and compare eLearning Industry’s Top LMS Software.
CleverLMS
CleverLMS is a versatile training and management platform tailored for businesses. CleverLMS offers features for interactive employee training, task management, knowledge sharing, and fostering corporate culture.