EDTECH 536: Mobile Learning and Game Genres

What is Mobile Learning?

Mobile learning should follow universal instructional design practices and pedagogies as does traditional or e-learning but has the advantage of being more personalized, portable, situated, and authentic. According to Traxler, what makes m-learning so personalized is that it "delivers learning to the learner when and where they want it" (p.7). Mobile learning is situated because it takes place whenever and wherever needed. Learning can happen immediately when needed and can take place in a variety of environments. Traxler emphasizes the idea of authentic learning in the m-learning realm because a learner is an active participant and "should be engaged in exploration and inquiry" (p.7) and "should have opportunities for social discourse," (p.7) in "learning that involves real-world problems and projects that are relevant and interesting" (p.7). Elias discusses how m-learning is unique because information is often presented in "small chunks" (p.4) which leads to the elimination of nonessential information and material. It becomes imperative to stay on topic.

Both articles mention how mobile learning is also inherently tied to technologies and devices and their capabilities. However, these articles were written 4 and 7 years ago and capabilities and usage has changed tremendously since then. Another aspect both articles mention is the advantage that mobile learning has of reaching people in more remote locations and reducing the digital divide.

For me, Traxler sums up mobile learning when he states "Learning that used to be delivered 'just-in-case,' can now be delivered 'just-in-time,' 'just enough,' and 'just-for-me.' Finding information rather than possessing it or knowing it becomes the defining characteristic of learning generally and of mobile learning especially, and this may take learning back into the community" (p.5).

Elias, T. (2011). Universal instructional design principles for mobile learning. International Review of Research 

             in Open and Distance Learning, 12(2), 143-156.

Traxler, J. (2007). Defining, discussing and evaluating mobile learning: The moving finger

writes and having writ.... The International Review of Research in Open and Distance Learning, 8(2).

Game Genres

There is a difference between game genre and game style. Genre is the type of game and style is the type of gameplay. It is similar to the movies. A movie may be a comedy, but there are different types of comedies. It could be a romantic comedy or mindless humor. There are four types of genre: action, adventure, strategy, and simulation.