Mobile learning: reaching hard-to-reach learners and bridging the digital divide

The research and development project m-learning was supported by the European Commission's Information Society Technologies programme. The project developed learning materials and systems accessed on, or via, handheld mobile devices and intended to stimulate an interest in learning and assist with improvement of literacy, numeracy and life skills. It explored whether the enthusiasm of young adults for mobile phones, and portable entertainment devices, can be harnessed to encourage participation in education or training and if m-learning can result in improved literacy, numeracy, attitudes or behaviour including greater enthusiasm for learning and/or progression to further learning. Learners' reactions to m-learning and the kind of pedagogical support, or scaffolding, they need was also studied. The learner research and systems trials took place in the UK, Italy and Sweden involving 249 learners. Most of the learners were not in full time education or training and many were unemployed or homeless. Our findings indicate that m-learning can be an effective element in blended learning and particularly useful for attracting and motivating non-traditional learners. They also highlight a need for significant staff development for tutors/mentors supporting m-learners. An unexpected outcome of the research was the suggestion that m-learning might provide a pathway from mobile phone literacy to computer literacy thus helping to bridge the digital divide. Less surprising was confirmation of previous research findings that disadvantaged young people can respond very positively and responsibly when trusted with high tech equipment. This trust appears to lead to improved self-esteem, improved self-confidence and, eventually, to better learning outcomes.