Discussion: OPTIONAL Mobile Learning

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2014-03-11T13:40:49-06:00

OPTIONAL PRESENTATION

This week in class we discussed Mobile Learning. The material and video below are for your information if you want to learn more about mobile learning. If you have a question that does not get answered, make sure you include it in a post as directed in the discussion section of this page.

Operating Systems

To make sure you are ready for the video content below, I want to briefly explain a few important concepts tied to mobile learning. Any sophisticated technology like a computer, tablet (such as an iPad) or smartphone, has a special type of software that allows a person to interact with the device or in other words, operate it. You guessed it, this software is called the operating system or OS for short. You are already familiar with several OSs even if you don't realize it. Windows is an OS that is used by most PCs. Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows 7 and Windows 8 are all OSs, or different versions of the Windows OS. Macs also use an OS, called Mac OS. There are different versions of the Mac OS too, such as Leopard, Snow Leopard, and Lion. The Mac OS is only found on Apple's Mac computers, while Windows can be found on computers manufactured by numerous companies such as HP, Toshiba, and Dell.

When we talk about mobile devices, we are talking about tablets, smartphones, and similar devices. These devices can be categorized by the OS they use. Almost all mobile devices use one of 2 different OSs. All of Apple's mobile devices, which include all the iPads, iPhones, and the iPod Touch, run a version of an operating system called iOS. Apple owns iOS and it is only found on Apple devices. In fact, you can't buy an Apple mobile device using anything but iOS. iOS is called a "closed" OS because Apple won't let any other company use it. One way to think of it, is that the possibility of companies besides Apple using iOS is closed.

Android is an OS owned by Google. Unlike Apple's iOS, Android is "open." That means any company who wants to can use it on their device! In this sense, Android is kind of like Windows in that any company can build a device and use Android as the OS for that device. Both closed and open OSs have their advantages and disadvantages. Nearly all the differences between mobile devices can be boiled down to the difference between iOS and Android, which is why mobile devices are thus categorized.

There is a third OS that might become a major player in the mobile world, Windows. However, Windows 8, at the time this was written, has not yet made much of a dent in sales. Until more time passes, we won't know if Windows 8 will be a major player in the mobile field.

Mobile Learning

One of the other IPT 286 instructors recently made an excellent video explaining mobile learning. He also provided a great introduction to the two OSs available for mobile devices.

An introduction to Mobile Learning

There's one more thing I want to explain about the differences between iOS and Android.

Simplicity vs Functionality

Discussion

Any questions about mobile devices, operating systems, or the assignment?