This Is Why You Need Localized Mobile Learning Today

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The first thing I did, as an ardent fan of
technology in the century of smart phones, did
was to go on Google (of course!) and type in the
words mobile learning. No surprise there. In a
very unambiguous way, Google explained to me the
technical meaning of it. M-learning or mobile
learning is defined as learning across multiple
contexts, through social and content
interactions, using personal electronic
devices. Now isnt that something! Do you see
the irony here? The basic act of just taking out
your phone to browse through Google and glance
over the topic to understand what it actually
means, is irony at its best. Most of us know what
mobile learning is, since the time smart phones
came out in the market, but the mere act of just
opening the phone and browsing through a topic
and getting a clear picture is what makes mobile
learning so relevant today. Before the phenomena
of mobile learning, we were used to paper laden
books that made us read, and read a lot! But we
compromised quite a bit on convenience. It is
2017, carrying a book around so you could glean
off information about something is time
consuming, nerve wracking and to be honest, very
annoying. Searching for some particular
information off books can now be avoided,
especially when you have technologies like
handheld computers, MP3 players, notebooks,
mobile phones and tablets that make your life
easy, and of course is not time consuming.
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To quote Nelson Mandela If you talk to a man in
a language he understands, that goes to his head.
If you talk to him in his language, that goes to
his heart. Localized content should retain its
original meaning, objectives, and must be
perfectly tailored for the needs of the people
and culture of the locals. Criteria such as
familiarity with the culture, subject matter
expertise and presentation style is what is
needed to make the best of localised mobile
learning. When it comes to language localisation
in particular, various contents mentioned in
online courses provided by mobile learning, has
to be engaging and should suit the learning needs
of multiple cultures and ethnic groups.
Localisation itself means adapting a product
that has been previously translated into multiple
languages to a specific country or region. It
is an important requirement if globalisation is
kept in mind, especially in a pluralistic society
like India. A country like India consisting of a
myriad of languages, various cultures, and
beliefs, is in dire need of such technological
factors which localise informative topics and
translates it into the required regional
language. It makes the whole process of mobile
learning easier and user friendly. Therefore
localisation, via mobile learning, involves a
comprehensive study of the target culture in
order to correctly adapt the product to local
needs.
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• For example
• 50of the countries within the Top 10 for
  downloads and revenue in iOS App Store are
  non-English speaking countries from Europe and
  East Asia.
• 80of the countries within the Top 5 for
  downloads and revenue in Google Play are
  non-English speaking countries from Europe and
  East Asia.
• App revenue in Asia increased by162
  year-over-year (2012 to 2013), while North
  Americas revenue grew by 46.
• Students, before the beginning of the mobile
  learning revolution , would have never thought
  that there could be an easier way to learn about
  new topics, and that too in a fun way. The
  devices are more lightweight than books and
  computers.
• The best part about mobile learning through
  devices is that it serves as an added tool for
  students with special needs, for whom the daily
  demands of manually checking for facts and
  learning quickly is not a privilege as it is for
  a person with no special needs. Now lets think
  about the cost saved. The financial aspect of it
  is what makes it even more attractive in todays
  times, as the cost of mobile devices are
  significantly less than PCs and laptops.

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Many jobs nowadays entail lesser desk time, not
having dedicated computer systems, therefore
mobile learning for such jobs is a boon. The
devices that come handy for professional
situations like, iPads, tablet PCs, iPhones, and
smartphones, are a relief for when time crunch
scenarios arise. Different browsers like Android,
Chrome, and Opera Mini are the most commonly used
browsers that are user friendly as well as swift
as far as technology goes. It provides you with
the ability to access educational content
whenever convenient, especially for the younger
generation who have a lot going on in their daily
lives. Taking breaks from mundane activities,
pausing in between to make use of mobile learning
is what makes it stupendous. It is a continuous
learning process, a phenomenon if you will, that
is not limited to the children but also to the
people who belong to the age category of 40 to 60
years. They make use of hand held devices, touch
screen notebooks, to get engaged in the fun
inducing mlearning process, or even get in touch
with their grandchildren within a minute or two.
Facebook, Twitter, Skype and other social media
enables people to constantly be in touch with
others around them, including their family, so
they never feel isolated. Online courses can be
fun, informative and helps them learn a lot and
gather information that was not possible during
their times.
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• Developing countries have a large demography of
  women who have the thirst for education and the
  desire to gain knowledge about topics, but do not
  have the basic and necessary resources to
  physically go and achieve such a feat. This is
  where mobile learning gives way. These courses
  give them a new a way of freedom, a sense of
  independence, that otherwise requires a lot of
  effort, thus they achieve professional
  breakthrough, change their career related
  destiny, in turn breaking gender boundaries.
• Various start-ups make use of mobile learning
• Toppr.com is a digital ed-tech start up based out
  of Mumbai that aids students in online test
  preparations for entrance exams.
• Since its inception in 2007, Meritnation, one of
  the largest online education platforms in India,
  has delivered helpful and interesting content to
  students making studies easier for them.
• MLearning materials are not limited to just
  educational aspects but they also encompass
  valuable, practical know-how, from anyone trying
  to become a chef showing how to prepare
  traditional recipes to companies demonstrating
  good corporate citizenship.

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Online learning courses have also changed the way
pupils conduct themselves, changing the dynamics
between them. No more is a child entirely
dependent on his teacher for every pedantic
detail, but has a more elaborate view about his
surrounding, the world and every topic that
enhances his mental and emotional growth.
Exposure to programming and audio-video
production information from a young age enables
them to be creative and knowledgeable, thus
creating their own unique paths and forming their
very own point of view on various topics. An 11
year old in this generation can probably very
well explain to his parents about the various
health hazards that they may be ignoring, or
other educational aspects that his parents may
not be aware of. From an altruistic point of
view, many mobile learning courses providing
companies have a tie up with non-profit
organizations, which provide general citizens
with free online courses, providing them the
opportunity to better understand distance
learning.
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The key to successfully make use of mLearning
revolution is not only about initialising
prevailing educational systems. The actual appeal
is letting people choose their own paths,
leverage their skills, and follow their passions
and calling. MLearning has a lot of potential in
business and educational sense, but the most
exciting and rewarding aspect is that students of
any age or background can have the chance to
pursue topics that are relevant and pragmatic to
achieve in their own lives. Thus mobile learning
enhances the learning experience in day to day
activities, helps in educational aspects,
intensifies the localisation characteristics etc.
this technological miracle is surely here to stay
for a very, very long time.