Mobile learning: Two case studies of supporting inquiry learning in informal and semiformal settings

Mobile technologies can support learning across different contexts as their portability and personal nature enables them to be used by the learner in whichever context she or he is in. Informal contexts can be particularly beneficial, because the learner has more control over their learning goals and motivation (usually intrinsic) is often high in informal and semiformal contexts (Falk & Dierking, 2000; Jones et. al., 2006, National Research Council, 2009). One motivating aspect of informal learning is that inquiries are likely to be personally relevant in terms of topics of interest and capitalising on learners’ location as learners decide what, where, when and whether to learn.