How to use Blackboard Mobile?

How can we use Blackboard Mobile at KTI to maximise access to learning for our clients, particularly in remote Aboriginal communities?  Here is an interesting article I found on M Learning for developing countries, covering the problems and some solutions.  I think some of it might be quite relevant to remote Kimberley communities.  Recurring Issues Encountered by Distance Educators in Developing and Emerging Nations

WestOne's Senior Programs Officer (Staff Development) Chris Winter, has this to say:

"I just always try and think "task" and that's what the app developers have done well with Bb mobile.

 

Things that work well on a phone and in the app include:

Checking the calendar

Receiving announcements

Using the Blogs/Forums

Uploading photo/video

Taking a mobile test (steer away from questions with too much typing)

Checking my grades

 

Content "can" be viewed on a device but is pushed out to the browser. But as discussed, how much content would we expect people to read on a phone?

 

Tablet yes, but then most existing content would work with little alteration so long as it isn't flash based."

I think that at KTI we maybe need to be thinking of models of training that make alot of use of mobile technology - many people in remote communities have smart phones but not such good access to computers.

With the issue of download costs etc, it seems that you have to make sure you design your course to minimise this.  So for example with the Blackboard environment you base your course around activities like discussions, blogs, simple quizzes, use the announcements and calendar tools alot to remind people of tasks and get them to capture evidence of their learning with pictures, video etc on their phones - these can then either be uploaded to Blackboard, or using a local pc, put on the pc and accessed by each other and by a teacher, or shared on a Facebook page, for example.  They can journal by recording their thoughts out loud on their phones, too.

 

So the mobile device or phone is not the sole source of study in the course - it may include some face to face meetings, some computer work where computers areavailable and even hard copy course manuals.  The manuals with the phones plus an occasional face to face meeting would probably be a good formula for some of these communities.