Understanding mobile learning: devices, pedagogical implications and research lines

Abstract

The development of new technologies and the interest in their applications in the teaching-learning process have caused the emergence of new didactical methodologies, which intend to get the most out of the devices. Within these methodologies, mobile learning has gained a significant importance. Our aim with this article is to describe the main characteristics of this methodology, focusing on the pedagogical implications it entails and the current research situation in this field, especially in Europe and Spain.
The article is divided into four sections. In the first place, we will define the concept of mobile learning and its relation to the education field. Secondly, we will describe the didactical possibilities of mobile devices, focusing on the most popular ones: smartphones and tablets, which have entailed an important advance in this field. Thirdly, we will go into detail about the pedagogical criteria for the development of mLearning activities in the different educational paradigms and contexts as well as the teacher training strategies. Lastly, we will present the main lines of research and current trends and we will describe the situation in the previously mentioned territories.