This paper is part of the UNESCO Working Paper Series on Mobile Learning. The Series seeks to better understand how mobile technologies can be used to improve educational access, equity and quality around the world. It comprises fourteen individual papers that will be published throughout 2012.
The Series is divided into two broad subsets: six papers examine mobile learning initiatives and their policy implications, and six papers examine how mobile technologies can support teachers and improve their practice.
The main purpose of this review is to describe the current state of mobile learning in Asia, and to provide policy-makers, researchers and educators with recommendations for the development of future policies and educational resources that will best support mobile learning in the region.
The paper first reviews the present state of mobile learning in Asia by identifying key characteristics of mobile learning initiatives in the region. Findings from the review indicate that current initiatives aim to: (1) make learning more accessible; (2) promote self-directed learning; and (3) design future learning environments. This section also presents selected case studies to provide concrete examples of the benefits and challenges of implementing mobile learning projects in various educational, cultural and social contexts. Next the paper discusses the findings from a questionnaire study on mobile learning policies to provide information on how governments in Asia view mobile learning from a policy perspective. Experts on mobile learning from eight countries – China, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, the Republic of Korea (or South Korea), Singapore, Taiwan and Thailand – completed the questionnaire.
To access existing and forthcoming titles in the Series, please see:
http://www.unesco.org/new/en/unesco/themes/icts/m4ed/mobile-learning-resources/unescomobilelearningseries/