ASSIGNMENT

PAPER 3 DEVELOPMENT AND

RESOURCES IN EDUCATIONAL
TECHNOLOGY

TOPIC :- CHARACTERISTICS AND BENEFITS

E-RESOURCES AND M- LEARNING

SHILPA MATHEW
Ist B.Ed.
PHYSICAL SCIENCE
2016-2018

INDEX

Introduction. 1
E-learning. 2
Definition.. 2
Characteristics .. 2
Types of e-resources.. 3
Benefits of e-resources... 3
Disadvantages 4
M-learning.. 4
Definition................................................................................... 4
Characteristics 4
Benefits of m-learning 6
Disadvantages 7
Conclusion.. 7
References.. 7

INTRODUCTION
Advances in computer applications during the past few decades have brought radical
changes in the way information is gathered, store, organize, accessed, retrieved and consumed. The
application of computers in information processing has brought several products and services to the
scene. The Internet and the Web are constantly influencing the development of new modes of scholarly
communication; their potential for delivering goods is quite vast, as they overcome successfully the
geographical limitations associated with the print media. Further, the distribution time between product
publication and its delivery has been drastically reduced. The Internet can be used for effective retrieval
and meeting information needs. This is very important for university libraries since most of them call
for more and more research work. This important fact is convincing many libraries to move towards
digital e-resources, which are found to be less expensive and more useful for easy access. This is
especially helpful to distant learners who have limited time to access the libraries from outside by dialup access to commonly available electronic resources, mainly CD-ROM, OPACs and Internet, which
are replacing the print media.
An electronic resource is any information source that the library provides access to in
an electronic format. The library has purchased subscriptions to many electronic resources in order to
provide you with access to them free of charge.
Examples of electronic resources include, but are not limited to: web sites, online
databases, e-journals, e-books, electronic integrating resources, and physical carriers in all formats,
whether free or fee-based, required to support research in the subject covered, and may be audio, visual,
executable, and/or text files.
M-learning is one of the latest developments in e-learning, which takes advantage of
mobile devices for learning on accessible portable platforms; ideal for people on the go or for taking
your training away when you cant access a regular computer. The term has more recently been adopted
for the use of e-learning on mobile device platforms, meaning smart phones and tablets like the iPad or
Samsung Galaxy.
M-learning technologies include handheld computers, MP3 players, notebooks, mobile
phones and tablets. M-learning focuses on the mobility of the learner, interacting with portable

technologies. Using mobile tools for creating learning aids and materials becomes an important part of
informal learning.
M-learning is convenient in that it is accessible from virtually anywhere. Sharing is
almost instantaneous among everyone using the same content, which leads to the reception of instant
feedback and tips. This highly active process has proven to increase exam score from the fiftieth to the
seventieth percentile, and cut the dropout rate in technical fields by 22 percent. M-learning also brings
strong portability by replacing books and notes with small devices, filled with tailored learning
contents.
E-LEARNING
DEFINITION
Electronic resource is defined as any work encoded and made available for access
through the use of a computer. It includes data available by (1) remote access and (2) direct access
(fixed media). In other words: Remote access refers to the use of electronic resources via computer
networks. (AACR2, 2002 edition; glossary).Direct access refers to the use of electronic resources via
physical carriers (e.g., discs/disks, cassettes, cartridges) designed to be inserted into a computerized
device or its auxiliary equipment.
CHARACTERISTICS
The following are the characteristics of electronic resources:1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.

The potentiality of the e-resources are huge and do not occupy physical space.
Encompassing everything.
Elimination of time, space, cost limit.
Public domain of information (Internet)
Easy archiving of the content and organized subjectively.
Full content can be searched.
Preservation and Dissemination of knowledge
Faster and vast
Backup preservation

TYPES OF ELECTRONIC RESOURCES

The following are the sources of electronic information

1. CD-ROMs
2. DVDs
3. Electronic Journals
4. Electronic Databases
5. Electronic Books
6. ETDs (Electronic Theses and Dissertations)
7. Digital Libraries
8. Internet Resources
9. Electronic mail data
10. OPAC
11. Institutional Repository System

BENEFITS OF E-RESOURCES
1. ACCESSIBLE can be accessed from any computer on campus and usually any computer off
campus, any time of the day or night, so there is no need to make a trip to the library
2. EASILY SEARCHABLE each journal can be searched quick and easy often through the
complete full text of articles and via online index
3. SPEED articles/issues appear online before printed version is available
4. INTERACTIVE rapid turnaround time means articles can be read, commented by the readers,
amended quickly and greater feedback through the web
5. LINKS hypertext format should be exploited and links to related articles, information on other
web sites, stable URLs for individual articles and email alerts when latest issue loaded.
6. ADDED VALUE advantages taken on the web is to add value by using animation, virtual
reality and interactive mathematical charts.
7. INEXPENSIVE savings can be made over printing costs, distribution costs and extra costs by
new features.
8. FLEXIBILITY e-journals evolved quickly. They are not tied to a format, printer, and
distribution network.

DISADVANTAGES
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

Difficulty reading computer screens

Limitations of computer monitor
Read information in the screen
Often not included in indexing and abstracting services
Search engines ignores PDF files
3

6. Format that a large proportion of e-journal use

M-LEARNING

DEFINITION
M-learning or mobile learning is defined as learning across multiple contexts, through
social and content interactions, using personal electronic devices. A form of distance education, mlearners use mobile device educational technology at their time convenience.
CHARACTERISTICS
1) PORTABILITY AND MOBILITY:
When we say something is portable that means it can be moved and carried easily.
Device portability depends on some physical features of the device such as: size, weight
and the number of the latest technological applications provided in the construction of
the device. As a result,
Learners can access stored information anytime anywhere.
Learning resources move with learners. In other words, data and information on
via mobile devices is portable and moveable.
2) WIRELESS NETWORKING:
Is one of the most significant features of mobile learning. So, most of the problems
related to the internet connection will be avoided. Surely, this characteristic makes the
process of learning vital and flexible.
3) INTERACTIVITY:
In mobile learning, interaction is related to three aspects :
The educational cognitive environment :
Mobile learning provides an enhanced educational environment in which distant
learners can interact with the instructor, material of the course, physical and
virtual environment and with each other.
Learners :
Mobile learning is interactive because learners direct the process of learning.
They dont sit passively waiting for someone to provide them with data or the

information. On the contrary, they are independent and create their data
themselves.
Skillful aspects :
Mobile learning enables learners interact using the latest applications and some
additional tools such as : a text messaging, mobile internet access and voice
communication.(all through wireless network).
4) The ability to access a variety of materials from anywhere at any time can provide multiple cues
for comprehension and retention.
5) MOBILE LEARNING IS PRIVATE :
It does not mean that information cannot be shared with others, or that the data is
accessed only to you. It means only one person at a time usually has to access to the
mobile device and that you may access the data you want independently from other
learners.
6) MOBILE LEARNING IS SPONTANEOUS, NOT PLANNED, FLEXIBLE.
7) It is characterized with immediacy. The data must imply instant information (we need quick
answers for specific questions, such as : definitions, formula or equations).
8) The data which is delivered via mobile devices is characterized with significant high-quality
images, pictures, voice and diagrams.
9) Mobile learning is a combination of electronic learning and distance learning.
10) Mobile learning devices are available and they are accordant with different economic states of
the learners because everyone can get the device which suites his economic state.

BENEFITS OF M-LEARNING

1) FLEXIBILITY TO LEARNERS
Flexibility is not limited to any one place or time anymore! Flexibility in m-learning also
involves learning

using videos, podcasts and other popular multimedia assets on

smartphones.
2) BETTER COMPLETION RATES AND HIGHER RETENTION
The content presented in the mobile platform is chunk-sized and concise. This enables
learners to complete courses and initiate the next course as well.
3) COLLABORATIVE LEARNING
5

Engaging learners towards the establishment of online learning communities is more

effective using mobile devices.
4) HIGHER ENGAGEMENT
Extant research and statistics reveal a higher engagement rate when courses are
delivered using the mobile format.
5) MULTI-DEVICE SUPPORT
The same course is available on variable devices ranging from PCs, laptops, tablets and
smartphones.
6) PERFORMANCE SUPPORT
Learners prefer methods that are as unobtrusive to their daily routine as possible. This
creates a learning habit that yields higher quality of performance. This facilitates easy
access to information while at work. Learners also find and retrieve just-in-time
information easily using their personal mobile devices.
7) LEARNING PATH
Phone based reminders and organizers are integrated with the m-learning platforms.
Learners get ongoing notifications and updates on their courses, which they check
anywhere and anytime. They can also resume their course easily, without unlearning
previous content. The learning path established in a mobile platform is more
personalized and continuous. With the popularity of mobile devices and the ever
increasing use mobile applications, e-learning will soon need a mobile application to
run. Most training programs already use a mobile-friendly learning management system
to host their e-learning programs.

DISADVANTAGES

There is a definite inconvenience of size, as the student had to learn while hunched over the

small screen of a mobile phone and personal digital assistant (PDA).

There is no denying that the storage capacities of PDAs are limited.
Anyone who has a mobile gadget knows that the short battery life and frequent changes of

batteries are a great nuisance.

Add to this the absence of a common hardware platform; this makes it extremely difficult to

develop content for use by all.

Devices may become outdated quickly and students have to keep combating obsolescence.
There is limited wireless bandwidth and chances are that it may further decrease with the
number of users ever on the increase.
6

In the m-learning venue, students are incapable of printing, simply because it requires a network
connection. This is obviously not feasible in a number of real-life situations.

CONCLUSION
In conclude we can say that the electronic resources have become the important part of
today. It has rapidly changed the way of seeking and disseminating information. The information has
also influenced educational world tremendously.
Over the past ten years m-learning has grown from a minor interest to a set of significant
projects in schools, workplaces, museums, cities, and rural areas around the world. Advancements in
mobile learning require a change from traditional classroom to a digital approach.
REFERENCES
1)
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3)
4)
5)
6)
7)
8)

http://libanswers.utep.edu/a.php?qid=57186
http://asuleimany.blogspot.in/2012/03/advantages-disadvantages-of-e-resources.html
https://www.loc.gov/acq/devpol/electronicresources.pdf
Southernlibrarianship.icaap.org/content/v10n01/sharma_c01.html
www.brighthub.com>Education>Online Learning>Online Classes
www.inflibnet.ac.in/caliber2013/ppt/a1_5.ppt
https://www.talentlms.com/blog/7-awesome-mlearning-benefits/
http://www.slideshare.net/wafaa-aljehani/characteristics-of-mobile-learning