Challenges of mobile learning

In the following game, you can find 10 different challenges of mobile learning. 

Underneath/next to the grid, you can see which words are still missing and which ones you have already found. The words can appear in any direction (left to right/right to left/top to bottom/bottom to top/diagonal)

After the quizz you will find more detailed information about the challenges. Good luck!

Social challenges

  • Stress: The fact, that you could theoreticall learn at anytime on your smartphone or tablet, can cause a feeling of stress 
  • Culture: Different cultures have different traditions and different ways of learning.
  • Distraction: While learning on a phone or tablet, it can always happen, that suddenly private messages pop-up
  • Evaluation: The type and duration of evaluating students work can, especially in the beginning, increase because teachers are not (yet) familiar with the new software
  • Institutional changes: When introducing mobile learning the whole institution has to adapt (provide students with devices, …)
  •  Resistance to change:  Missing understanding of why mobile learning should be used and what advantages it can bring

Technical challenges

  • Installation: Before being used, the necessary software needs to be installed on every device
  • Availability: Shortage of devices can be a big challenge, especially in public schools
  • Internet connection: Not everyone can benefit from a good internet connection, which can make online learning difficult
  • Privacy: Data protection plays a big role in every topic that is connected to the internet, which means that is also has to be considered in learning online
  • Electricity: In some parts of the world, electricity is still not common, which is needed to charge the devices
  • Maintenance: Once bought, a device won’t last for decades and needs therefore regular maintenance and eventually repairs
  • Cyber-security: If the students don’t get informed enough, the internet can be a dangerous place, especially for young students
  • Small screen size: Small screens can make mobile learning more difficult, because some apps or websites might not be adapted for smartphones yet
  • Limited battery: The battery running out during a class or learning unit can destroy the whole learning experience, because the session gets interupted 
  • Insufficient memory: Not enough memory can lead to losing material that would be important for class or the learning experience

References: 

  • Al-Hunaiyyan, A., Alhajri, R. A., & Al-Sharhan, S. (2016). Perceptions and challenges of mobile learning in Kuwait. Journal of King Sauf University – Computer and Information Sciences, pp. 279-289.
  • Mehdipour, Y., & Zerehkafi, H. (June 2013). Mobile Learning for Education: Benefits and Challanges. International Journal of Computational Engineering Research, pp. 93-101.
  • Yu-Liang Ting, R. (2005). Mobile Learning: Current and Future Challenges. Proceedings of the Fifth IEEE International Conference on Advanced Learning Technologies, pp. 603-607. doi:10.1109/ICALT.2005.202

Picture references: 

  • https://illinoisnewstoday.com/4-software-engineers-share-the-biggest-technical-challenges-theyve-faced/135772/
  • https://www.emotivebrand.com/socializing-strategy/