M-Learning In University Instruction

In recent years, with the development of wireless technology and mobile computing technology, a new E-Learning method—mobile learning (M-Learning) has appeared. M-Learning is the learning at any time and any place with digital mobile devices (such as mobile phones, etc.) and is the expansion of E-Learning. The biggest advantage of M-Learning is that it can be conducted anytime and anywhere based on the learning needs of learners with no need to have a fixed place and a specific time, which not only fully meets the learner' s individual learning needs, but also enriches the teacher' s teaching methods and means. At present, students of universities have all kinds of mobile devices such as mobile phones for learning and have more free time. Moreover, they have more independence and greater autonomy for learning. As a result, it is entirely feasible and very significant for M-Learning to become the auxiliary way of traditional higher education. Now M-Learning is in the stage from the theoretical research to practical application. Universities, as the forward position and backbone elements for education and scientific research, have special and important meaning to implement and popularize M-Learning.The implementation of M-Learning in universities can not be separated from the support of learning environment, which includes hardware, technical support, human resources and learning resources and so on. As a consequence, it is prerequisite to create a good learning environment for the implementation of M-Learning. Proper learning models play an important role in guiding effective implementation of M-Learning. According to a variety of mobile devices, relevant learning resources, the age characteristics and learning styles of university students and other factors, the models of M-Learning in universities can be divided into four categories: the refresher learning based on regularity of forgetting, the game learning based on Happy Education Theory, the collaborative learning based on discussion and the Inquiry Learning based on search engine. The four learning models mentioned above have been put into practice in university education.Though M-Learning is still in its early stages and consequently has some imperfections, yet it expands the scope of education as the extension of education services, meets the individual learning needs of people and makes it possible to learn and communicate anytime and anywhere. Therefore, M-Learning will be the appropriate way to acquire knowledge and enhance self in the fierce competition for contemporary people.