Java isn’t Coffee and Android Is Not an Alien” - unlocking the Power of Mobile Solutions

Two years ago, as I was giving a presentation on mobile learning, someone raised their hand and asked “why would I use my cell phone for this type training if I can do it on my computer too? I realized I wasn’t really doing a good job of demonstrating the advantages of why an organization should adopt the use of mobile devices to enhance employee productivity. I was showing them a converted eLearning course for mobile devices – ok I get why they were scratching their head as to why someone would want to tap and scroll on a small screen to complete this course when the same content is accessible from a computer.

Our new mission, "show the world how to leverage the power of mobile". So we made a conscious decision to help organization really understand the difference of how mobile applications differ from online or traditional solutions.

Many people try to make a direct path from eLearning to mobile--- which, unless it's the only way for you to provide this knowledge, is not the best use of mobile technology.  Try to take advantage of what the device offers in functionality and the environment in which it's available and work backwards from there.

The chart below outlines some of the more common features that mobile devices support.

Chart1

Now let me provide you with some examples of how these mobile features provide unique learning and performance support applications.

JAVA- this programming language allows you to place Job Aids, Reference Guides, Quick Reminders etc., directly on the device similar to an application sitting on the desktop of your computer.  Something as simple as a frequently called list of numbers that reside on the phone, lets you open on one click scroll to the number and then click on the full phone number for one click dialing. 

Image 1

Now think about all of the opportunities that you could use for role playing.  We're turning into a society where we don't know how to verbally communicate with people.  By using the voice capabilities of the phone, you can build mobile simulations or "Mobi-Role-Plays" which allow individuals to practice conversations with characters who sound like real people.  All results can be recorded with built in phone survey, testing and polling.

Bar Code Readers- Imagine a field technician repairing equipment such as an airplane or some type of industrial equipment.  Picture the traditional scene of the technician having to carry several manuals and spec sheets with them many of which could get outdated or quickly become very hard to use.

Now image if this equipment was built with a bar code on each part.  When the tech needs to diagnose the problem, they could use their mobile device to scan for repair documentation that is current and pushed right to the device or referenced in a Java ap.  In fact this technology already exists and is being used by the military and airline industries.

Image 2

Progress on Developing Machine-

readable Technologies to Identify

Commercial Airplane Parts

Kenneth D. Porad

The Boeing Company

April 15, 2004

Kenneth D. Porad

The Boeing Company

Texting and Polling- How well do your employees apply the skills they are acquiring from training into the field and how soon are they doing this? 

The use of mobile browsers also means the use of database access to information.  Of all of the time and money spent on ILT and other types of training, we see little reinforcement of this knowledge once it's been given.  Why not use the mobile device to reinforce the use of these skills once they are on the job.  It doesn't take much effort to send out a quick text message or mobile poll to survey for such things as:

• How many of you applied "x" today on the job
• Survey to see what objections sales people hear
• Ask how various regions see differences in retail merchandise being sold at various times of the day
• Ask which steps did you use from some previous training session
• Six sigma trained personnel could provide some form of feedback for job performance

Take time to think beyond how to deploy learning today-use mobile to expand upon true performance activities vs. a single learning event that begins and ends. 

So the next time you're in line to buy cup of Java observe how many people are staring into their hand--- mobile is here so tap into its power.