A project developing the use of mobile learning to deliver learning support to patients and informal carers in Suffolk
Tim Goodchild, Jane Day
University Campus Suffolk, United Kingdom
This poster will outline a recently commenced 2 year project which is developing the use of mobile learning to deliver learning support to patients and informal carers in X.It is estimated that 1 in 8 adults are carers in the UK, which is around six million people (Carers UK, 2009). Patients with long term conditions and their carers are often unable to access learning support due to the continual demands they meet. Mobile Learning is focused on the flexibility and mobility of learners, and this project is evaluating and developing learning technologies and techniques to support the delivery of education and informal care, often at the moment of need.A definition of mobile learning is “learning that happens when the learner is not at a fixed, predetermined location, or learning that happens when the learner takes advantage of learning opportunities offered by mobile technologies” (O’Malley 2007). Mobile Learning is a rapidly expanding component of education and training (Dearnley et al. 2008; Vavoula & Lonsdale. 2007), and this project, which is supported by the X County Workforce Group, is exploring current and future trends in mobile learning, and using these as a basis to provide innovative mobile learning and support allowing patients with long term conditions, carers, families, and students to have access to contemporary information flexible in time, place and speed.The three main aims of the project are to:1. provide innovative learning and support allowing patients, informal carers, families, and students to have access to contemporary information.2. provide a full economic costing of delivering this new mode of learning support to patients, informal carers and their families and provide a cost benefit analysis.3. support the development of a patient focused provision, including a range of credited modules and/or programmes for informal carers and patients at the required academic levels.The project will also provide a proposal for a new mode of care delivery focussed on supporting patients, families and carers.This poster will outline progress so far including the scoping exercise of current mobile technologies and review of related projects.Carers UK (2009) Carers UK http://www.carersuk.org/Newsandcampaigns/Media/Tenfactsaboutcaring [Accessed February 25th, 2009]Dearnley, C., Haigh, J. & Fairhall, J., 2008. Using mobile technologies for assessment and learning in practice settings: a case study. Nurse Education in Practice, 8(3), 197-204.Vavoula, G. and Lonsdale, P (2007) Mobile Learning for young allergy sufferers: A report exploring research opportunities, challenges, methods and best practices. Available at: www.eee.bham.ac.uk/woolleysi/research/MobileHealthReport1.doc [Accessed 17 December, 2008]