Smart Handhelds – Will They Change the Way We Work, Play, and Learn?

Change is a way of life and for the learning industry it is a every day reality. With newer technologies being available, our modes of learning are on a continuous state of evolution. We have moved on from paper to the computer, from desktops to laptops. And now with the advent of Smart-phones and other hand-held devices – ‘learning on the go’ seems to be the current emerging trend. Digging deeper into how much has this trend affected our lives we asked a few questions from G-Cubians this month. The answers gave a lot of insight into the way mobiles phones and other hand-held devices are being perceived and utilized today. More importantly, we got a firsthand glimpse of what possibilities these devices hold for the end user.

To start with, we asked if we are using our phones for more than just making calls. The point that mobile phones offer much more than simply acting as portable phones was clearly made, and unanimously so. Checking mails on the go is almost a necessity for all. It’s even an addiction for a large group of G-Cubians! Internet surfing and search comes a close second in the additional utilities that mobile phones are offering today. It is also handy to view presentations and read on the go with mobile phones and hand-held devices. Amit Saini’s response states ‘I carry a lot of books and documents in my phone, along with some important documents as well. And I see the younger generation using their phones more and more to view content as well.’

So, will hand-held devices be the prime medium to access the internet or read content, in the next few years to come? While trying out a new technology is clearly the siren call for all tech-junkies, the comfort and ease of use that a PC or Laptop provides can be a pull back. Pradeep Sharma raises some interesting points, which bares the fact that mobile technologies still have some way to go before completely taking over conventional PCs or Laptops! He asks ‘What if the website that I want to access is not compatible with screen size of my phone? Or the keyboard is too small to type out a 1,000 words? Or, in an audio clip, the voice is completely muffled?’

But, while being prudent, the possibilities of mobile technology cannot be contained. So, it boils down to one quintessential question – how will learning be affected? For this, the possibilities for mobile devices are aplenty. Sayantani points out that the smaller screen (which concentrates the viewer’s attention) and personal approach of mobile phones will work in the favor of social campaigns – for instance an anti-smoking message. Another good point put forth by Varun Arora is that, irrespective of the learner profile, the duration of the learning modules in mobile phones has to be shorter – not more than 15 to 20 minutes or else the attention of the viewer will be lost. To put it in a nutshell, Kapil Gupta affirms that it is not the technology itself that matters so much, as its ‘effectiveness in problem solving’. ‘With the introduction of 3G, things are going to change a lot. Video calls and conferencing through mobile phones will be common. From a learning perspective, this can help in a vast number of ways – post course support, skill based instructor led training, mock tests while traveling – to name just a few.’

So, the verdict stands clear – it is a bright future for mobile technology and its impact on learning is indeed positive.