Differentiate Mobile Learning and e-learning is not easy for everyone. However, these are two very distinct methods of training, resulting from Digital Learning. We are going to highlight the differences between these two concepts.
What is e-learning?
E-learning is a method that companies have used for many years to train their employees or boost their skills as a complement - or as a replacement! - face-to-face training. Businesses are turning to e-learning for reasons of effectiveness and efficiency, but also for budgetary reasons. So what is it about?
E-learning is, if we want to give a brief definition, a set of training methods using computer tools. It can therefore take several forms. For example, you can do e-learning online or offline, in a group or alone, but also with the help of a trainer or not. The advantages of this learning method are mainly accessibility, because compatible with any computer, flexibility in terms of the pace of training, and finally monitoring that is both simple and effective of the performances of the participants.
What exactly do we mean by mobile learning?
The Mobile Learning was born from a very simple observation: the current world is undergoing constant and rapid changes. Many therefore have more and more screens at home, in addition to the equipment that is present in the workplace.. This is how Mobile Learning has been able to gain an increasingly important place in companies. This concept literally translates to “mobile learning.” As its name suggests, it is a training that uses mobile devices as an interface: smartphones, tablets, laptops. Attention, the slates and their chalks that our ancestors used cannot be described as “retro Mobile Learning”, although they can be easily moved. With retro fashion taking on worrying proportions, we prefer to be clear on this point.
The main advantage that can be recognized with Mobile Learning is that learners have the opportunity to train anytime and anywhere. Not to mention that just like e-learning, Mobile Learning benefits from great flexibility in addition to a fun side. On smartphones, this playful side, or gamification, can be exacerbated. Mobile Learning is a method that has already proven its worth and has enabled many learners to reach their goals.. They are also more enthusiastic and motivated, because they have the opportunity to learn as they want, on the device (s) of their choice.
What are the concrete differences between Mobile Learning and e-learning?
The differences between mobile and e-learning can be divided into four categories:
Objectives:
E-learning is used to acquire and retain skills in order to approach them in depth. E-learning training is therefore intended to be formal and structured. in order to be able to transmit specific skills.
Mobile learning, on the other hand, allows you to have access to information when you need it, especially when you are on the go. Mobile learning is therefore an on-demand training that is sensitive to context..
Tools used:
If you opt for an e-learning project, you will naturally have to turn to desktop computers or possibly to laptops as supports for training content. E-learning is therefore more often an apprenticeship that takes place in the office..
Mobile learning is not subject to this constraint. The learner can opt for the tool of his choice namely his smartphone, his tablet or even his laptop. This flexibility further reinforces the aspects immediate accessibility and mobility of training.
Visual impact:
As said before, e-learning is practiced via a desktop computer or a laptop. Although your mobility is reduced, you train on larger screens to display more complex content. In addition, you have more detailed information and more creative, if not more elaborate, visuals. So, You don't suffer from media limitations and benefit from optimal learning conditions.
For trainers, Mobile Learning does not 100% guarantee the attention of each learner because of the reduced size of the screens. This does not allow several ideas to be deployed at the same time, which means thatYou often have to be content with concise information and only one idea per view. The visuals adopted must also be simple and the media is limited. However, it is an ideal medium for Microlearning.
Apprenticeship time:
One of the characteristics specific to learners within a company is the lack of time to devote to training. This point is all the more true for smartphone users.
Thus, in order to adapt to this constraint, e-learning content does not generally exceed 20 to 30 minutes. For Mobile Learning modules, they are generally between 3 and 10 minutes.
Now you know more about what are e-learning and Mobile Learning and their real differences. (If you read the article correctly. We'll check...) These training methods do not compete with each other. They may possibly be complementary. They must therefore be studied individually in order to see which one or which best corresponds to the expectations of your company.
