What is Ubiquitous Learning?

Ubiquitous learning, also called u-learning, is the interaction between humans and computers in order to learn. It’s important to note that the term computers here doesn’t only refer to desktop and laptop computers. Instead, computers are considered any digital device. However, just having a computer or digital device doesn’t make learning ubiquitous. What separates ubiquitous learning from the broader term e-learning is that ubiquitous learning evolves learners being constantly in contact with technology always having the ability to learn. In a sense, ubiquitous learning is “learning on demand.” This is similar to mobile learning in that the learner is not hindered by his or her location.

Characteristics of Ubiquitous Learning

Top researchers in ubiquitous learning describe ubiquitous learning as having six characteristics. These are:

Permanency: Both course material and material produced by students is never deleted on purpose; the only time material is deleted is in unforeseen circumstances. Further, students performance and course materials are continuously being updated.
Accessibility: Because learning data like coursework, assignments, and lectures are permanent, students should always have access to the material. Because this material is accessible, students can be much more self-directed and more independent that previously.
Immediacy: Students should be able to get information whenever they want. The information students request may be local, stored on their device, or not local, the data is most likely stored on a server somewhere and is accessed by the learner over the internet.
Interactivity: Learners should be able to interact with other people in their “educational network.” These people can include the teacher of the course, classmates, or even experts in the field. Interactivity can be synchronous, requiring participants to be present at the same time, such as a video conversation or instant messaging chatroom, or asynchronous, such as an uploaded video to Youtube or a forum.
Situating of instructional activities: The problems and knowledge gained from learning activities are presented in a natural way or in a way that would mimic a real-world situation.
Adaptability: Technology should be able to adapt to students’ changing lives.

Examples of Ubiquitous Learning

One example of ubiquitous learning is the use of computers and the internet to distribute online courses and distance learning. In the early days of distance learning, learning took place through mail. Instructors would mail assignments and course material to students and then students would mail complete work back to teachers. Later, with the invention of the internet, distance learning was conducted by using desktop computers and the internet. Now, distance learning isn’t tied to typical places where desktop computers are located such as in a school or even a home office. Smartphones have enabled teachers and students to communicate with each other instantly.

Advantages of Ubiquitous Learning

The most obvious advantage of ubiquitous learning is that learners can be anywhere. Similar to previous implementations of learning using technology in education, learners are not tied to a certain location. However, because students often have their phones on them at all times, students have 24-7 access to a learning environment.