The use of m-learning in practise to teach and train employees can be seen in a number of working environments. One example includes British Gas who is using m-learning to facilitate IT Training.
“British Gas has rolled out mobile learning to 850 field service engineers in its home security and electrical services divisions.�? Service engineers are taught using two very popular mobile devices; the Panasonic Toughbook CF18 w and the wireless Tablet PC. (The other 8,000 services engineers were incorporated in the roll-out later that year). The devices used “…form the basis of the engineers’ toolkits, and is focused on three main areas – the management system that centres on work allocation and recording, diagnostics and service manuals�? (Garfoot, A. 2004).
The daily learning plan includes engineers attending a half-day classroom session before using their tablet PCs to participate in computer-based training. Once this has been completed, trainers allocate three tasks to engineers which are completed on field. Business It solutions manager Peter Ransom has commented this procedure is called “…refreshment and instruction, rather than a training cycle.�? “This isn't a hand-holding exercise…This is just-in-time learning focused on our equipment, not on the new wireless technology. We want to recognise their strengths and not talk down to them�? (Garfoot, A. 2004).
Service engineers are provided with DVD updates issued every 90 days featuring skills and training, service manuals, a multimedia magazine and technical briefings. Due to the mobility of the devices being used (Tablets and Toughbooks), engineers have the opportunity to visit the information on the DVD in between field tasks as well at home (Garfoot, A. 2004).
Garfoot, A. (2004) “Takeaway Learning,�? IT Training
