Title :
Supporting Distance Users of Mobile Learning Technology
Author :
Liu, Yong ; Li, Hongxiu
Author_Institution :
IAMSR, Abo Akademi Univ., Turku, Finland
Abstract :
With a rapid deployment of mobile devices, mobile learning gives rise to new possibilities for extending learning opportunities to all social-economic levels. Nevertheless, current research on mobile learning has mostly been aimed at enhancing learning of school or college students. In this light, the paper seeks to throw light on the potential of mobile learning for distance learner communities, including problem teenagers, social employees and ageing people. Rather than being employed as a complementation to the current conventional learning and teaching scenarios, mobile learning tends to make more sense when it serves as an effective conduit for a particular learner community to access training and education. Also, mobile learning is of increasing importance when used to support the learning activities of hard-to-reach groups to underpin social transformation and to deal with the challenges posed by demographic shifts.
Keywords :
computer aided instruction; distance learning; mobile computing; demographic shifts; distance learner communities; distance users; mobile devices; mobile learning technology; social transformation; teaching scenarios; Aging; Computer science; Demography; Education; Educational institutions; Employment; Information systems; Mobile computing; Mobile handsets; Software engineering; aging learner; illterate; informal learning; lifelong learning; mobile learning; population aging;
Conference_Titel :
Computer Science and Software Engineering, 2008 International Conference on
Conference_Location :
Wuhan, Hubei
Print_ISBN :
978-0-7695-3336-0
DOI :
10.1109/CSSE.2008.352