In any field, I’ve often found that my best new learning comes from something slightly fringe to my own area. Not totally removed, but similar enough that I can grasp it and integrate it. Such a new learning has happened recently from the world of corporate or business training, where the necessity of moving to mobile and ubiquitous tools has been addressed better than in my own area of formal education actually. Dr Conrad Gottfredson works in this area, and posits that learning experiences should be planned for from a perspective of need, with these five being a summary of the greatest moments of learning need:

1. when learning for the first time, 2. when learning more, 3. when remembering or applying what’s been learnt, 4. when things go wrong, and 5. when things change.

So what has this got to do with mobile and ubiquitous learning? For me, it speaks to what are the advantages of mobile learning. The first two on this list, as another commentator here has noted, are not so mobile-related. These are the areas of learning we have focused on traditionally. From Gottfredon’s list though its obvious that they are not the full picture, and I don’t think that traditional or even online learning has catered for them very well. BUT, what tool could be better for reviewing previously learnt content JUST IN TIME than a mobile device that is always with you? And what learning tool are you most likely to have on hand, wether out and about during informal learning moments, or in the middle of a busy classroom when suddenly something goes wrong, or a change in direction is required? I wonder…

Read more here and even apply to join Gottfredson’s ning if you like. There is also a podcast here – just remember teachers and educators this is from the business world – but there could be some good fringe learnings waiting for you! Also go here to read how these ideas can be extended into the wider picture of a ‘continuous learning environment’ …