Mobile phones as a challenge for m-learning: examples for mobile interactive learning objects (MILOs)

The widespread use of mobile phones (in Europe often called "handles") enables a long awaited dream: learning at any place, at any time. This "not being tied to particular locations" is for example especially interesting in the area of medicine i.e. for vocational training of medical staff and students. As the amount of medical information continues to grow, timely access to information is critical to medical personnel. However, such applications can not be the 1:1 transformation of standard computerized learning material; special design issues must be considered. In this paper we present a practical approach to m-learning and call it "mobile interactive learning objects" (MILOs) which are used within a mobile learning engine (MLE) that runs on mobile phones. MILOs can offer manifold possibilities for new kinds of communication and explorative learning.