Barriers to implementing mobile learning come down
Attitudes of senior learning & development leaders towards mobile learning have changed with many now having positive experiences and enthusiasm for this method of delivery. This is a significant turnaround from attitudes noted by LINE just 18 months ago which sited problems with technology as a barrier to implementation.
The change in opinion was noted during the recent iVentiv Executive Knowledge Exchange which took place in Basel. The intimate group which consisted of senior leaders from global organisations spanning a number of business sectors including, leisure, professional services, finance, healthcare and pharmaceuticals took part in a number of workshops including one led by LINE’s Head of Mobile, Dominic Mason on Mobile Learning, Communications and Knowledge.
During the introduction to the event the group discussed the future of L&D and in the main agreed that, although there will always be a place for face to face delivery, L&D leaders will find themselves increasingly needing to promote technology for change. Many felt that the future of L&D lies more in delivery through regional infrastructure, with the whole organisation becoming a learning organisation with L&D consulted centrally on strategic decisions.
The exchange also discussed how mobile delivery influences the L&D process and many of the group were enthusiastic about mobile. Whilst mobile (like any technology) can't break down communication and cultural barriers between orgs or departments, it is now seen as a potent delivery channel. Just one example, an iPad app with the ability to offer support materials and interactive tools to front line salespeople, is going to be more effective than any number of PowerPoint presentations and or printed reports and manuals.
Just 18 months ago LINE held a Lunch Forum in Zurich with a number of senior L&D Executives and discussed Multi-Platform learning. At this event nearly all the group talked only of significant technology barriers preventing them from implementing such as solution. In sharp contrast to that, in a relatively short amount of time the experience of this group showed that learning, knowledge and communications departments of many organisations are now creating cutting edge mobile applications, often alongside or even before business information apps from IT departments or their partners. As in the example above, many of these apps are the key drivers of sales support in organisations. Sales support is one of the key growth areas for mobile services across the attending organisations, along with leaders/senior managers, IT staff, information workers, key remote staff, sales support staff, frontline customer facing staff (non sales) and staff who need less reliance on paper (e.g. pilot manuals, legal process-based forms)
Dominic Mason, LINE’s Head of Mobile, who ran one of the workshops at the iVentiv event, says: "Rather than being just a speaking platform, iVentiv is an interactive, cooperative forum. It was exciting to feel so much enthusiasm and actual practical experience being shared. The demand from leaders and from the workforce in most of the attending businesses for mobile services is strong. This is moving this market along very quickly."
More information on LINE’s mobile solutions is available on LINE's website or by e-mail request at mobile@line.co.uk
More information on the iVentiv Executive Knowledge Exchange events is available at http://www.iventiv.com