Mobile Learning Trends and Predictions From Tim Ferguson

Mobile Learning Trends and Predictions from Tim Ferguson 

“Learn Anywhere, Anytime, Anyway”
“The Future Comes Alive” theme of the 2011 Lectora User Conference sets the tone for Tim Ferguson’s presentation on Mobile Learning - as he puts it, “The Mobile Future Comes Alive.” Ferguson discusses how to reach our “Digital Native” students with new expectations and new technologies that contine to impact our society, business and education.






We hear about mobile learning trends and recent developments such as tablets and the latest Smartphones. Ferguson discusses the NKU "Learn Anywhere, Anytime, Anyway" mobile learning principles and get a glimpse into the demands of the mobile-connected world.
Mobile Trends - Mobile, Cloud Computing, Tablets, Social Media
Google Docs has mobile, Cloud, and portal capabilities. It is a free, Web-based word processor, spreadsheet, data storage service and more offered by Google. It allows users to create and edit documents online while collaborating in real-time with other users.
“2011 is the year of the tablet…but so will 2012, 2013 and so on,” says Ferguson. Over 100 tablets were announced or launched this year. Forty-five million iPads are expected to be sold in 2011.
Ferguson claims, “By 2015, companies will generate 50% of their web sales via their social presence and mobile applications.”
IDC Mobile predictions:

• App downloads anticipated to grow from 10.9 billion in 2010 to 76.9 billion in 2014
• Over $35 billion in mobile app revenues by 2014
• Smartphone market growth to reach over 49% in 2011

Mobile Facts

• One half of mobile searches are performed on mobile devices
• Two hundred million YouTube views per day on mobile devices
• Of the world’s 4 billion mobile devices, 1.08 billion are smartphones and 3.05 billion are SMS enabled

Impact of Disruptive Technology - Useful applications for all types of learners
o   Square
Credit and debit card transactions are made easy with this app. You can either swipe your card with a separate device connected to your smartphone or you can manually enter the details in your phone. Ferguson considers Square to be “groundbreaking in the mobile payment space.”
o   Walgreens
Enables users to access the weekly ad, includes a GPS to get you to the store of your choice, and what really makes it unique: You can refill your prescription. Just take a picture of the code on the prescription bottle and you’re done. This is an example of how consumers are driving apps.
o   Political Campaigns
The 2008 political campaigns successfully used social technology to enhance donations, spread information, and create a community. Social media and mobile technology will drive the 2012 Campaign. If parties do not use these types of resources, they won’t be able to compete.
o   Heath Care
Mobile applications add powerful benefits for the health care industry.  Ferguson refers to doctors having “diagnosis without boundaries, detailed imaging & image calibration, and the ability to show patient images.” This changes the way medicine is practiced.
M-Learning - Ageless learning and disrupt
Millennial Expectations:
“We have to go to their world rather than them coming to us,” says Ferguson when he refers to learners. The same goes for corporate America; businesses need to go to the consumers to understand their needs in order to deliver successful advertisements and sales. We have to find out how learners learn best and what devices they use.
eLearning Opportunities for M-Learning:

• Exploratory Learning • Multi-Media • Survey Instruments • Snack Learning
• On-Demand Learning • Book Portability • Administration • Reference Materials

In 2010:

• Over 20% of enterprises spent more than half their training budgets on blending or substituting training with eLearning
• US organizations using mobile devices for training grew from 9% in 2007 to over 20%

Aging Adults and Tablet:

• Reading • Writing • Motor skills • Mental health • Communication • Socialization

Adults who have never used a computer in their life who are using tablets because of the simplicity and it’s changing their life
Tim Ferguson
Tim Ferguson is the Chief Information Officer & Associate Provost for Information Technology and Executive Director of IMI at Northern Kentucky University. Tim leads the Information Technology teams at NKU and is responsible for the current SAP Implementation. Ferguson established the Infrastructure Management Institute (IMI) that assists regional companies in technological innovations for global competition.