Ignoring Instructional Design is a Mistake You Should Avoid for an Effective Mobile Learning

Technology is changing the way people learn. Mobile Learning or mLearning is one such training strategy that appeals tech-savvy learners, while improving workplace performance. People generally perceive it as more of mobile technology than a learning strategy – due to technical concerns such as device compatibility, responsive design framework, screen size and resolution. However, instructional designing can be one of the most significant aspects that you cannot afford to ignore to create effective mLearning.

The holistic approach of instructional designing brings the instructional value to the mobile learning and deepens the learner’s understanding. This in turn helps organizations to maximize their Return on Investment (ROI) for their Mobile Learning initiative.

This blog provides an insight into the best practices of instructional design approach specific to mobile learning. Here are the top 8 considerations while designing a mobile learning solution from an Instructional Design perspective.

1. Analyze Learning Requirements

To create an engaging mobile learning experience:

• Analyze the mobile learning requirements and target audience (to identify its appropriateness)
• Define the learning outcomes
• Map out the raw content to the learning outcomes

Remember, mobile learning is a best fit for performance support that can be delivered as a refresher course or just-in-time learning.

2. Keep Navigation Simple

Simple and intuitive navigation is the key to mLearning success. Remember that learners navigate with the moving fingers so make sure it can be easily accessible.

3. Use Simple Interactions

As there is limited real estate, creating interactions is a challenging task in mLearning. Use simple, user-friendly interactions such as:

• Tap to reveal
• Timeline interactivity
• Tap the image
• Slideshow interactivity
• Tabbed interactivity
• Hotspot interactivity
• Augmented reality/ virtual reality
• Incorporating videos
• Podcasts
• Flashcards, quizzes, checklists
• Videos
• Using gamified elements such as virtual currencies, scores, points, etc.

4. Keep the Content Relevant and Contextual

Mobile learners are subject to distractions and interruptions. To overcome this hurdle:

• Create the learning content that is relevant, interesting and compelling
• Tell a story or present a scenario
• Avoid irrelevant graphics and text

5. Writing for Mobile

Consider the following:

• Use plain language
• Avoid jargon
• Put the most important ideas in the first sentence
• Highlight keywords

6. Create Bite-Sized Content

Considering the limitations of mobile devices (for example, smaller screen size), bite-sized content is the right fit for learning on-the-go.

• Structure, chunk and present the content into small, logical units so that it is easy to view and quick to digest – Avoid Cognitive Load
• Prioritize the content that matters the most
• Minimize the scrolling
• Use bullet points to present the supporting ideas

7. Keep Audio/Video Short

• Customize the video or audio to match the learning context
• Assess the videos to see if they can be divided into smaller units

8. Adopt Responsive Design Framework

Consider adopting responsive design provides an optimal viewing experience across all devices – multi-device learning. HTML5 allows you to develop device-agnostic content easily.

Conclusion: Mobile learning wouldn’t be an effective solution without a sound instructional design specific to mLearning. And just pushing the content for the sake of information transfer to the learner is not Mobile Learning.

Curious how mLearning could help your organization reach its business goals? Talk to us to discuss your mobile learning needs, and to find out the range of options our experts can offer.

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