Mobile Learning Opens Many Options for SMEs

Hagen (DE), November 2018 - Mobile learning can no longer be regarded as a trend; it has become an integral part and a set standard of learning media in the digital age. SMEs, however, often still have some catching up to do. The day-to-day business has priority and, as Dr. Erich Behrendt, head of Mittelstand 4.0 Kompetenzzentrum eStandards (SMEs 4.0 Competence Center for eStandards) explains, "Decision-makers have to deal with learning issues in the ongoing work process." Dr. Behrendt will talk about the advantages and developments of mobile learning for SMEs on 30 January 2019 at 11:30 at the LEARNTEC Congress.

Mobile Learning has become an integral feature of the digitalized components of qualification processes in all educational contexts, which are undergoing significant changes due to unceasing technological innovation. In the development of mobile learning content, beyond consideration of the requirements for presentation on end devices, scenarios are conceived that flexibly link the content to the actual learning venue, opening up new situational contexts for the learning process.

Currently, however, SMES are still facing the challenge of digitizing their business processes. They realize, though, that they have to take their employees along with them in the process, which is why digital learning is on the agenda. SMEs tend to prefer web-based training, videos, and quiz questions, as a survey undertaken by the Fernuniversität Hagen (the Distance Education University in Hagen) demonstrates. However, artificial intelligence in the form of assistance systems, which, e.g., make recommendations, also offers options for SMEs.

"Small companies nowadays require primary and advanced training for their own employees, adds Dr. Behrendt. However, he looks further ahead in regard to digitization, observing that there are certainly digital education opportunities for unskilled and semi skilled workers that can be used in appropriate contexts to help mitigate Germany’s skilled worker shortage."