Mobile learning promises companies flexible and sustainable training, but also poses specific challenges for HR professionals. A study shows what these challenges are in practice – and which solutions really work.

Is mobile learning already taking place in your company, or is it planned to start in the near future? The likelihood that your answer will be "Yes" is very high. According to the eLearning Benchmarking Study "Mobile Learning in Practical Use", this was already true for around 70% of all companies in 2018 – a trend that is on the rise.

The study also clearly shows the three biggest challenges for companies:

1. Barriers to implementation

2. Mobile-compatible content

3. Provision of devices

Challenge 1: Barriers to the Implementation of Mobile Learning

If you think that concerns from management or learners are the biggest barrier to mobile learning in companies, you are mistaken. The most common barriers to mobile learning in companies are actually of a technical nature. The following graphic shows: Often the appropriate infrastructure is missing for provision, or there are simply no compatible content available for mobile learning.

Graphic 1: Companies primarily lack infrastructure and suitable learning content for mobile learning.

Solution: Due to the positive basic attitude towards mobile learning, less and less persuasion work is needed. Instead, focus on a simple technological solution and suitable learning content during the implementation of mobile learning.

Challenge 2: Mobile-Compatible Learning Content

Mobile learning has only become a major issue for companies in the last five years – no wonder that many companies still lack suitable learning content.

For mobile learning, content must meet primarily two requirements according to the study:

1. Learning content needs to have a responsive design that easily adapts to various screen sizes.

2. To ensure content is easily accessible on mobile devices, learning units should be shorter and files smaller than during "stationary" learning on a PC.

Solution: Companies that already use mobile learning demonstrate which content has proven itself in practice: Around 90% use WBTs (web-based trainings) on mobile. Almost as frequently, videos are used. With just under 80%, quizzes are in third place. This top 3 provides a good foundation for mobile learning.

Graphic 2: WBT, video, and quiz are by far the most frequently used mobile learning content.

But be cautious! WBTs have been on the decline as a learning trend for some time! The top training trend for the coming years is blended learning. The combination of online and in-person learning can also be implemented easily on mobile – and is future-proof.

Learn more on our info page: Blended Learning in Practice

Challenge 3: Provision of Devices

Mobile learning on a smartphone or tablet sounds simple at first. However, a fundamental question arises organizationally: Should the devices be provided by the company, or do learners use their private devices?

The reality at companies that already use mobile learning shows: There is (still) no consensus on this point. Half provide devices, while the other half relies on BYOD ("bring your own device").

Graphic 3: Half of companies provide devices, while the other half uses employees' devices.

Solution: Existing private devices are the most cost-effective. Provided devices, on the other hand, minimize security risks. You need to weigh these points individually when implementing mobile learning for your company.

Conclusion: The Right Tool Helps Overcome Challenges

The benchmarking study shows: Mobile learning is being established more and more widely in companies. Solutions already exist for many of the challenges. Within mobile learning, there are already emerging trends that companies should be aware of in 2019.

Many solutions depend on one decision: The choice of the right tool. A specialized, modern learning tool like blink.it

1. can integrate with existing infrastructure or function as a stand-alone solution.

2. allows you to quickly and easily create mobile-optimized content.

3. minimizes risks through high data protection standards.

Test blink.it for free now and see for yourself how easy mobile learning can be!