M-learning refers to education delivered through mobile devices such as tablets, smartphones, and e-readers. Educational organizations use this learning solution as an advanced method of learning and teaching to incorporate technology-based learning environment. The main advantage of m-learning is the reduction in paper use, which helps build a sustainable ecosystem.
M-learning improves education in two ways:
- It enables educators to reach out to students across the world and increases the availability of education in developing countries
- It provides real-time access to students and faculty members and gives users access to educational content as and when required, unlike the traditional classroom setting
Key Developments in M-learning Market
The market for m-learning services is growing rapidly because countries typically spend about 5%-6% of GDP on the education sector. The number of distance learning programs in emerging countries has increased. Factors such as the simplified learning environment and an increased need to train learners dispersed worldwide are also propelling market growth.
M-learning is gaining significant traction because it reduces operational costs through uniform content delivery and content centralization, and because it reduces logistical costs. Therefore, it has become an essential medium for imparting training and education, allowing firms and educational institutions to lower recurring costs and enable “anytime and anywhere” learning.
Advanced mobile technology is further boosting market growth. Vendors have developed various authoring tools that help end-users create mobile-based content themselves. They are also developing standard mobile applications and websites and are offering customized services that best fit customers’ needs. For instance, HTML5 is more compatible with mobile phones and has more features compared to Flash. Now m-learning services based on cloud technology are attracting the attention of educational institutions.
Emergence of New HTML Standard
The introduction of HTML5 has boosted the growth of the global higher education m-learning market, facilitating the creation of mobile apps that are widely used by both teachers and students. Also, developers are using HTML5 with other coding languages, such as jQuery, and JavaScript, to create graphics and interactive content.
HTML5 is compatible with many web browsers and mobile operating systems and is capable of providing better performance, enriched multimedia, and better connectivity. Previously, Flash was the key platform used by content developers. As many mobile devices do not support Flash content, HTML5 is increasingly being used to deliver interactive content and videos through cellphones.
Despite the many benefits of HTML5, it is still a new technology, and content developers are not experienced enough to develop content through it. However, we expect this trend to gain rapid momentum during the forecast period.
