How to best make that happen is the tricky part, as there are a multitude of things to consider such as:

1. What types of content lend themselves to mobile?
2. Which employees will most benefit from mobile content?
3. Do we want to do the conversion internally or outsource?
4. If internal, do we have the bandwidth to support a mobile conversion effort?
5. By what means (platform) will we deliver mobile content?

A key factor in successfully converting content to mobile is having a sound content strategy in place. Having interacted with a number of companies on this topic, this is typically when an organization either realizes they are ready to move forward with such an effort or they need to go back to the drawing board and develop a more comprehensive strategy for mobile learning.

From our experience, when a well-defined mobile content strategy is in place, clients often find that a great deal of their content has value on a mobile platform.

Some examples of content that Upside has converted to mobile learning for clients includes:

• Performance Support Material (i.e., job aids, checklists, etc.)
• Instructor-Led Training (ILT)
• eLearning
• Product Training
• Onboarding Training
• Leadership / Talent Management Programs

That being said, it’s important to understand what content works best on a mobile platform.

Based on the content we’ve developed for mobile learning, certain types/durations of learning are best consumed on a desktop or Tablet – such as a 30+ minute course or full-length eLearning module. However, many clients have engaged us to “whittle down” ILT content down to smaller chunks (to include knowledge checks and/or video snippets) to extend learning first delivered in the classroom or via Tablet.

I believe it’s worth noting that a number of the mobile learning conversion projects we’ve done have centered on Performance Support (PS). More specifically, for sales and compliance-centric activities; as both include repeatable processes and procedures designed to ensure success and in the realm of compliance – safety. Productivity/execution gains from embedded PS via mobile learning is one of the strongest ROI cases an organization can make for undertaking a mobile learning initiative.

Yet within the mLearning domain, it’s also key to consider the user experience. In other words, designing mLearning in a way that delivers value to the user at their time of need and within their workflow. In essence, consider whether the content lends itself to core features and functionality of mobile learning such as:

• Smaller  learning chunks or snippets
• Push or pull notifications (just in time/At point of need)
• Knowledge checks or concept/skill review via video snippet
• ‘Help’ for quick user reference
• ‘Search’ to get answers to critical questions

Mobile learning is not the holy grail for learning and skill fluency. But rather another means for driving individual and organizational performance and therefore can be an important component of an overall learning strategy.

So where are you on your mobile learning journey?

The post I Need to Convert My Content to Mobile – Now What?? first appeared on The Upside Learning Blog.

Needless to say, the ‘tipping point’ these days is undeniably Mobile Learning Technology (MLT). Organizations must respond to the changing learning needs of an ever growing mobile workforce and are constantly telling us they need a mechanism to drive performance support and learning to their geographically disbursed organization… and MLT is the answer. One could argue this indicates the somewhat slow, yet natural process of market adoption to a new technology… a new way of doing things.

Interestingly, the acceptance and breakthrough of MLT has centered on ‘performance support’ as its traction point. Over the past 4 months, Upside Learning has implemented a number of mobile learning engagements and performance support for an on the go workforce is the primary focus in nearly every case. In many instances, these are sales teams in need of quick, accurate updates and insights that they can quickly leverage right at the point of work – exactly when and where they need it.

This article focuses on how companies are going beyond the proverbial ‘toe in the water’ and integrating mobile learning for their organizations…. so without further ado, here are the top 5 ways Upside Learning clients are leveraging MLT in their organizations:

1. Video

A very simple concept yet somewhat new to the mobile learning realm. Short, 2-3 minute snippets designed to extend classroom learning; can be either pushed to or pulled by the learner via mobile device or tablet.

2. Converting and pushing key documents

Performance support at its very core. Ability to dynamically access key information (FAQs, Best Practices, Presentation Materials, etc.); enabling the learner to get data/insight exactly when and where they need it.

3. Extending the blend

Many companies want to continue some form of classroom training, however, are in need of a mechanism to keep the learning alive. Mobile is a great way to give the learner short bursts of data that effectively connects the dots on classroom training and drive real learning/mastery of new skills.

4. On The go workforce

Likely the number one use of MLT today. This group of employees have an absolute ‘on demand’ need for quick updates, competitive information, product specs, presentation details, etc. MLT can be hugely important to their success… or lack thereof.

5. Compliance training

A major flashpoint that has required careful study on the part of MLT providers as the stakes (and risk) are often high. Compliance organizations have studied mobile closely and little by little, have come to embrace the value proposition of MLT.

So there you have it – the very core of what is driving companies to embrace the mobile learning revolution. We look forward to discussing how Upside can make MLT viable for your organization.

The post Top 5 Ways Companies Are Using Mobile Learning Technology first appeared on The Upside Learning Blog.

Amongst others were articles on digital natives, Lego and creativity, multitasking etc.

Without further delay, let’s get on to our collection of the top 7 posts for April, each accompanied by a quick brief.

1. Learning Creativity and About Creativity From Lego
Lego is more than just a toy that we grew up with. It encourages the development of the ability to create or generate ideas, having implications on how you structure your thoughts and activities that involve work and play. Know how it figures in all of this here.

2. Learning & Skills Survey: 87% More eLearning & Mobile Learning; 73% Less 2-3 Day Classroom Training
If the results of Learning & Skills 2011 survey by the Centre for Performance Development are anything to go by, technology assisted learning accounts for the larger piece in the learning and development pie.

3. Developing Mobile Learning: Which Device Are You Targeting?
Developing a mobile learning strategy involves taking a preliminary and crucial decision – which device to target. Here are some key takeaways from both the Gartner & IDC reports that will help you take this decision better.

4. Multitasking Takes Toll On Memory, Study Finds
Multitasking or excessive task switching may not be the best for our memory skills. This blog post links to some such studies that show how multitasking takes a significant toll on the working memory of older individuals.

5. Mobile Learning: A Quick SWOT Analysis
The use of mobiles as an alternative source of information is increasingly gaining ground in the learning environment. This is compounded by the fact that a large number of organizations and institutions are opting for mobile learning as part of their training and development. This post lists the inherent strengths and weaknesses, the potential opportunities and possible threats faced by mobile learning.

6. 5 Myths About Digital Natives
Digital natives, the individuals who take the digital world the internet enables for granted, are truly a sect apart. To these individuals, the internet and its data services are just as mundane as electricity and phones were in older generations. This article debunks 5 myths about these natives of the digital world.

7. ELearning Project Managers – Misunderstood Heroes
Handling client problems on one hand and motivating the team to deliver the solution on the other, Project Managers are the souls who have to manage this delicate jugglery, all this while adhering to deadlines. While all individuals involved in the development process of a solution are important and irreplaceable, know why Project Managers are the real heroes.

The post April 2011 Monthly Roundup: 7 Most Popular Posts first appeared on The Upside Learning Blog.

Here’s a forecast from Gartner about how the smart phone market could look like in 2015.

 Source: Gartner April 2011

Swallow this with a pinch of salt!

There’s already been a scathing article about the ‘lazy thinking’ shown here by well known analyst companies. The points made in this article do make a lot of sense.

Here’s another forecast – this one by IDC and released in March earlier this year, which is not very different from that of Gartner’s.

Nevertheless for me key take away from both the Gartner & IDC reports are:

1. There would probably be 3-4 platforms to target. Not a big relief though but it’s not getting any worse from here.
2. iPhone will not be THE device to target. With declining market share and hopefully less fan-boys the focus on the iPhone will reduce. We’ve ourselves focused on iPhone first when releasing the Upside2GO. The Blackberry and Android version are on the way now.
3. Windows Phone 7 – with better phones and the tie-up with Nokia – will grow fastest in next 2-3 years and will be the platform to watch out for. And Symbian is as good as dead.  I have a feeling Windows has a unique advantage in terms of seamless integration that’s possible with PCs. From a user’s perspective that’s a big plus and might be the ace the Microsoft holds in the battle of smart phones.

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The post Developing Mobile Learning: Which Device Are You Targeting? first appeared on The Upside Learning Blog.