Mobile learning at OUM

Mobile learning will soon lead to ubiquitous learning or u-learning.

However, while students can be said to be ready, not many educators or institutions are. As always, the doubt, the resistance, the confidence, the cost, the capability and most of all, if "nothing is broken, why fix it" syndrome. However, what if mobile learning will mean better learners or more engaged learning? What if mobile learning is what the Gen Y students on campus today like to have? They're so very connected with the mobile phones, yet mostly use it for social or personal reasons? Why not make it a tool for them to be connected with the learning content or learning process?

At the Open University Malaysia (OUM), I was asked to think about implementing mobile learning for our distance learners. A team of academics was formed, a readiness study was conducted and the pilot took off in January 2009. We've implemented m-learning for almost three years now. Of course, with the introduction of tablet devices such as the iPad in mid-2010, m-learning will only grow. The best is to have platforms or activities that will leverage on the features of these tablet devices....I believe, that within 5 years, these devices will significantly replace the notebooks we are using now.

Meanwhile, if you're keen on evaluation research or on how the mobile learning project at OUM started and is progressing, three of several articles are available here:
http://www.scribd.com/collections/3238724/MOOC-on-mobile-learning-at-OUM

Also, a chapter written at the start of the project is available in a book published by IGI Global (see: http://www.igi-global.com/bookstore/chapter.aspx?TitleId=46564)

The cover of the book:
http://www.igi-global.com/Images/Covers/9781616928490.png

To cite the chapter (APA format):
Peng, C. L., Abas, Z. W., Goolamally, N. T., Yusoff, Y., & Singh, H. K. (2011). Implementation of Mobile Learning at the Open University Malaysia. In Ng, W. (Ed.), Mobile Technologies and Handheld Devices for Ubiquitous Learning: Research and Pedagogy. (pp. 170-186). doi:10.4018/978-1-61692-849-0.ch010

And, more recently published in early 2011 is a chapter after a few semesters of implementation (See: http://www.igi-global.com/bookstore/chapter.aspx?titleid=52834)

The cover of the book:
http://www.igi-global.com/Images/Covers/9781609605117.png
To cite the chapter (APA format):
Abas, Z. W., Lim, T., & Ramli, R. (2011). Unleashing the Potential of Mobile Learning through SMS Text for Open and Distance Learners. In Kitchenham, A. (Ed.), Models for Interdisciplinary Mobile Learning: Delivering Information to Students. (pp. 154-174). doi:10.4018/978-1-60960-511-7.ch009