Next steps

Innovative practice has been defined here as practice with mobile and wireless technologies which has added value to established ways of facilitating learning (including the more widely used aspects of e-learning).

When moving on to innovate with mobile and wireless technologies in any part of the curriculum, consider which areas would gain the most benefit from their use, and how the planned practice will relate to current uses of e-learning. Key benefits emerging from the practice recorded in this guide are given here. To open up a more detailed discussion, click on each of the following statements:

Mobile devices can extend the reach of e-learning and open up a greater variety of learning activities.

Mobile and wireless learning can mean e-learning on the move.

Embedded use of both e-learning and mobile and wireless technologies can enable an institution to become a wireless hub of learning.

Learning can be made more personal to the individual learner with effective use of e-learning and mobile and wireless technologies.

Innovation means working at the cutting edge, away from the security of established proven ways and means, determining through experimentation where the real barriers are, and how they can be overcome. When competitive forces and strategic pressures combine with the energy and enthusiasm of practitioners to seek ways of widening access, and enabling more relevant and engaging learning, then 'innovative' practice comprising mobile and conventional forms of e-learning could become tomorrow's established norms.

Tools to audit your institution's current use of e-learning and plan for implementation of mobile and wireless technologies are available in the next section - Planning tools.