Abstract:

As a consequence of the increasing knowledge and technology intensive activities within enterprises, a need for workplace learning arises. Therefore, the employees need knowledge and learning units that can be accessed and processed easily at the workplace and consumed quickly. In addition, the increasing mobility of work requires greater time and location independent knowledge transfer. This can be supported by the use of mobile devices, which are increasingly available within enterprises.

Modern learning concepts, such as micro and mobile learning, are one possibility for enterprises to offer their employees more flexible education and training opportunities. Micro learning allows work-integrated-learning, as small learning units (micro content) can be consumed directly at the workplace and only with short-term interruptions of the actual working process. Furthermore, the learning nuggets can be used in idle or non-productive times. In addition, micro content can be displayed on mobile devices to promote the flexibility of learning by enabling time and location independent learning. Using the technical capabilities of these devices (e.g. build-in sensors to localize the learner and adapt the learning content to the surrounding context) situated learning on the job or learning on demand can be supported.

However, prior research on micro and mobile learning is limited on specific application scenarios in the business context, especially use cases for mobile workers. Studies on how these new learning concepts are applied in practice and integrated into existing learning concepts are missing. Thus, the main goal of this paper is to examine how companies are already using the learning concepts and to identify application scenarios.

Therefore, we conducted a qualitative, explorative study by interviewing ten human resource experts. Based on this, we derived application scenarios and potentials how micro and mobile learning can be used to train and support employees and how they can be integrated into existing e-learning and blended learning concepts.

All interviewed companies’ use classroom trainings and eight enterprises are already using e-learning to train their employees. E-learning is offered in addition to classroom trainings as further training possibility or integrated into a blended learning concept. The results of the interviews show that mobile and micro learning are barely used in the companies. In addition to (potential) application scenarios of micro and mobile learning, also reasons were identified, why the new learning concepts have not been used (e.g. lack of mobile devices within the organizations). However, the experts recognize the potentials and described possible application scenarios (e.g. preparation and post processing of classroom trainings, supporting employees in working processes). According to the experts, mobile micro learning can help to combine working and learning and is one possibility to provide self-regulated, individual learning. With mobile micro learning employees can access relevant learning content in the situation they need it, so learning on demand becomes possible. This can lead to higher flexibility for employees and higher motivation to learn.

The identified application scenarios and potentials can be used as a basis for further research and for practitioners as a starting point for introducing and integrating the new learning concepts within their company.

Keywords:

e-learning, Blended Learning, Mobile Learning, Micro Learning, Enterprises, Application Scenarios, Potentials.