Hardy Ernst

Active mlearning opportunities offered by a prototype template of a new web-based SBLi™ interface for smartphones

This paper introduces a new smartphone interface that allows students to access existing scenario-based learning activities on the SBLi™ platform (www.sblinteractive.org). Leveraging student-owned technology for academic benefit, the SBLi™ smartphone interface offers high impact, anywhere anytime, active learning opportunities. Given a choice, about a third of students accessed the scenario-based learning activities via mobile devices. We found no differences in student attainment of learning outcomes based on summative assessment between the desktop SBLi™ version and SBLi™ mobile version. However, most students owning smartphones do not use it for mobile learning, yet many welcome scenario-based mobile learning applications. Ease of usage and navigability of mobile learning applications are vital.

Anywhere, anytime, with any device: scenario-based mobile learning in biomedical sciences

This paper reports on The Virtual Human Body (VHB), the latest project of a long running mlearning undertaking at The University of Queensland, Australia, in the use of scenario-based mobile learning in biomedical sciences. Improved learning outcomes coupled with enjoyable learning experiences suggests that the VHB is learning effective while offering active ‘anywhere, anytime, with any device’ learning opportunities. The project’s web-based design system allows the leverage of diverse, student-owned technology for academic benefit, permitting easy adaptation to new technologies, while literally providing a template for curriculum innovation, in terms of both flexibility of delivery, and dissemination to other curricula.