A mobility and knowledge-centric e-learning application design method

Electronic learning (e-learning) has emerged and evolved drastically with the development of the internet and information and communication technology. On entering the new knowledge-based economy, companies face more severe and stricter competition in the global marketplace than ever before. Corporations have to compete by using innovation as well as cost leadership to survive. Know-how, process and practice have become the key source of core competency. Knowledge, technique and heuristics must be collected, created and compiled in the explicit form of a knowledge repository as well as in the implicit forms of forum, community and teamwork. Mobile learning (m-learning) represents the key complementary approach to a knowledge- and competition-centric e-learning environment. In particular, m-learning should be able to collect on-site instant data as well as real-time working experience. However, there are several structural deficiencies of current m-learning design that hinder the development of m-learning. Firstly, current m-learning design is geared toward either a learning or transaction purpose but not both. Secondly, current m-learning design does not differentiate itself from e-learning design. Thirdly, current m-learning design does not integrate with knowledge management. In this research, an alternative is presented to address the aforementioned research issues. Firstly, we develop a design interface that integrates with the knowledge repository and enables knowledge learning (k-learning). Secondly, we create a design model that can search and handle instructional materials as well as transactional data so as to facilitate business learning (b-learning). Thirdly we build a design framework that can accommodate the comprehensive features of a learning management system (LMS), learning record management system (LRMS), and learning component management system (LCMS). By the end, we cultivate a more collaborative, cooperative, constructive, customised and cost-effective learning design method to tackle the fundamental and structural deficiencies.