2010 Forecasts

I intended to write a blog entry in late December with my predictions for mobile learning in 2010, but somehow never found the time. Since then I have since been reading some other predictions and think they covered most of what I would have said. Bottom line today is that the questions are no longer "why?" but "how?".

Mobile devices have certainly come into their own with champions and examples everywhere. I no longer feel that I am a single voice trying to convince of the importance of these ubiquitous capabilities to the future of learning.

In fact, Tech Crunch's Ten Technologies That Will Rock 2010, over half of them are mobile.

Following are a few of the blog predictions that I have noted (in no particular order):

From the eLearning coach - 2009 Technology Trends That Impact Online Learning

Mobile Technologies
This year set the stage for a more robust mobile learning space, where limitations in access, power and speed had to be overcome. Due to more powerful mobile data networks, ubiquitous access to wireless, mobile tools that work across platforms and more smart phones and devices that are Flash ready, many types of learning can be set free from the personal computer. More organizations are exploring mobile learning to provide just-in-time resources and learning objects to an increasingly mobile and virtual workforce.

From Forrester Insight and research - Key Learning Trends for 2010: Are You Onboard?

Expect mobile learning to increase. There's been talk about learning from the handheld devices for years but I think we are close to realizing learning on-the-go. One issue is around a mobile standard for learning content. Each mobile device displays content differently and creating content for each device is unrealistic. Projects are under way that address this hurdle. The other question is about content appropriate for the handheld device. Certainly, a learner is not going to take a long in-depth course from a mobile device. Rather, assessments, simple graphical charts, and short pieces of learning without heavy text seem best suited for formal mobile learning.

From Jeanne Meister New Learning Playbook - Five Words To Describe Corporate Learning in 2010

Mobile: The same-time, same-place model of learning will slowly disappear, as corporate learners look to mobile devices for their learning. In a number of countries, there are now more mobiles than people. For example, as of 2009, for every 100 individuals in the United Kingdom there were 123.64 mobile subscriptions. Global System For Mobile Communications projects that by 2012, there will be 4.5 billion mobile subscriptions out of a global population of 7 billion. Already, several financial service firms such as Bank of America and Wells Fargo are exploring using mobile phones to deliver compliance training, product training and performance support/on-the-job aids.

From Learning Solutions Magazine by Bill Brandon - 2010 Predictions

Mobile learning
This is another area that may have suffered a bit from over-exposure. Regardless, given the rapid adoption and evolution of smart phones, the move to mobile platforms as a significant learning environment is only a matter of time. One damper on progress has been the diversity and incompatibility of devices, and the lack of Flash on one of them, but this is becoming less of a problem as browser-based applications become available. By the end of 2010, m-Learning will be well-established as a delivery option.

From Saba: Mobile Learning Becomes Wide-Spread Reality

6. Mobile learning has finally come of age
We have been talking about mobile learning for many years and, in our opinion, the platforms have finally emerged to make this a broad-based reality. Today's mobile devices are used to access a huge variety of applications and content types. Learning, connecting, and exchanging expertise will emerge across a wide range of mobile devices.

From E-Learning Queen - New Directions and a New Decade for E-Learning: 12 Predictions

Mobile learning integrated into online courses for anytime, any place data access
Ubiquitous learning is gaining speed as the watchword of the new decade. Any place, any time, and -- this is most important -- any device -- will be key.

Don't miss the long list of predictions for mobile learning from Robert Gadd at mLearning Trends - My mLearning Predictions for 2010. The list is much too long for me to include here, but right on target.