There is no question that mobile learning is here to stay. According to Emerald Works Research:
- 4% of learners feel it is essential to use a mobile device for training
- 43% of learners believe they are more productive using a mobile device.
- 89% of smartphone users download apps, and 50% of the apps downloaded are for training
- 46% of learners admit to taking training classes on their mobile device before sleeping
Google states that mobile-only users now comprise 27% of the population, meaning they use no other device, not even a computer.
According to Gallup, 71% of Millennials prefer learning using a mobile device to get a better user experience. There are studies suggesting learners complete course material 45% faster on mobile devices versus than on a computer.
Are you Ready to Deliver Mobile Learning?
Whether your content is microlearning, videos, or quizzes, before you can deliver it, you’ll need to select a mobile learning app. Think about the definition of a learning management system.
Now, picture the mobile learning app as an integral part of the learning management system. Together, the two provide the most interactive content possible. Although the result makes it look seamless and easy, your mobile learning app partner is crucial to the success of your outcome.
What Are the Important Features of a Mobile Learning App?
The ease to configure your branded mobile learning app is one of the most important aspects to consider. You’ll want to quickly be able to change colors, logos, splash pages, languages, menus, among other features, without writing a single line of code.
An important feature is your learning resource catalog. The resource catalog is where users can conduct search queries looking for content. Filter the search results by content type, author name, category, and so on. Allow learners to browse an events catalog to support the increased use of blended learning.
Learners require personalized experiences. The personalized learning page designed to view well on a mobile device is a place where learners select resources or view resources assigned to them.
If your learning platform does not support automatic mobile viewing, the learner may have a poor experience viewing their dashboard. The dashboard is where learners see progress, completion status, and scores.
Social learning is becoming a popular feature. Learners enjoy communicating with peers in discussion groups. A good mobile learning app lets the learner post comments and collaborates with others. A chat feature is a popular requirement.
With social learning, learners can maintain a profile, upload their profile picture, and search other learners and experts. Social learning promotes a positive user experience by connecting and communicating with others.
Through group collaboration, learners can participate in discussion forums or post a question for the learning community to respond to. Social learning provides the support the learners need to move to the next level.
Gamification is a popular feature to use with mobile learning apps. Students get rewarded in some manner, such as points, badges, and promotion to the next level to engage with your learning resources or complete learning activities. A leaderboard informs the learners how they stack up to the competition with peers and other learners.
A native mobile learning app can download content for offline viewing. The app should record learner progress or, at a minimum, send the data to the learning management system on the cloud server capable of delivering administrative dashboards and reports.
With the advance in the use of eCommerce in learning organizations, the ability of a mobile learning app to facilitate the purchase of learning resources of courses or to enroll in a membership subscription is an important feature.
Learn more about Instancy’s branded mobile native app offering for your training and education business!
At Instancy, we consider mobile to be an essential consideration for whatever we design. To learn more about Instancy’s approach to mobile learning, click here. To schedule a demo or free trial, click here.
