Mobile Learning with Purpose

The ubiquity of mobile devices is undeniable. They have taken over almost every aspect of our lives — ordering food, getting a ride, finding a date. Few actions cannot be done with a smartphone. 

So, why is it that mobile phones do not occupy as much space in the way we learn at work? There is plenty of blame to go around. Companies have weak device policies, outdated security concerns, and lack mobile-friendly content and platforms. Despite being around for more than a decade, the uptake on mobile learning has not reached the levels that were predicted just a few years ago. 

Inkling decided to do something about that and they’ve approached it in a way that makes mobile learning make sense. 

For too many companies, the idea of mobile learning was simply to make everything they had “available” on a mobile device. This didn’t mean the content should be mobile, nor did it mean that it worked well on mobile devices. 

Inkling’s native mobile app aims to help companies leverage mobile learning when and where they need it. With its responsive design, the app gives everyone the same great experience, regardless of the device they bring to the job.

The app is designed specifically for operational learning for field employees. For organizations with groups of deskless workers, a mobile learning app can be critical. It gives field employees access to the knowledge, training and communication they need, regardless of where they are. They won’t have to stop a job or task — or worse — return to headquarters to get what they need. The mobile app ensures that field employees have access to the most up-to-date information, no matter how rapidly it changes.

Learners can search for information using QR codes and voice commands, just like they would on their phones. Because it is native, it looks and feels like a mobile experience, not just a shrunken version of a webpage. Additionally, it means everything is available offline, so connectivity is not an issue. Once the device re-connects, everything is synced.

Many organizations with field employees are reluctant to embrace mobile learning because they are typically hourly employees. While mobile devices are great for learning when it is convenient, they can be problematic during off-hours. Inkling’s app includes a geofencing feature that allows a company to control where employees can access material based on an address and defined radius. Geofencing also adds an extra layer of personalization and contextualization to the learning by letting the learning platform use location as part of what it knows about the learner.

Organizations that feel mobile learning has not lived up to its promise need to rethink their approach. By using mobile in the specific, targeted way Inkling has, there is the potential to open up new opportunities for the deskless workforce. 

David Wentworth, Principal Analyst, Brandon Hall Group

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Mike Cooke

Chief Executive Officer of Brandon Hall Group Mike Cooke Prior to joining Brandon Hall Group, Mike Cooke was the Chief Executive Officer and co-founder of AC Growth. Mike held leadership and executive positions for the majority of his career, at which he was responsible for steering sales and marketing teams to drive results and profitability. His background includes more than 15 years of experience in sales, marketing, management, and operations in the research, consulting, software and technology industries. Mike has extensive experience in sales, marketing and management having worked for several early high-growth emerging businesses and has implemented technology systems to support various critical sales, finance, marketing and client service functions. He is especially skilled in organizing the sales and service strategy to fully support a company’s growth strategy. The concept of growth was an absolute to Mike and a motivator in starting AC Growth, in order to help organizations achieve research driven results. Most recently, Mike was the VP and General Manager of Field Operations at Bersin & Associates, a global analyst and consulting services firm focused on all areas of enterprise learning, talent management and talent acquisition. Tasked with leading the company’s global expansion, Mike led all sales operations worldwide. During Mike’s tenure, the company has grown into a multi-national firm, conducting business in over 45 countries with over 4,500 multi-national organizations. Mike started his career at MicroVideo Learning Systems in 1992, eventually holding a senior management position and leading all corporate sales before founding Dynamic Minds. Mike was CEO and Co-Founder of Dynamic Minds, a custom developer of software programs, working with clients like Goldman Sachs, Prentice Hall, McGraw Hill and Merrill Lynch. Also, Mike worked for Oddcast, a leading provider of customer experience and marketing solutions, where he held a senior management position leading the company into new markets across various industries. Mike also serves on the Advisory Board for Carbon Solutions America, an independent sustainability consulting and carbon management firm that specializes in the design and implementation of greenhouse reduction and sustainability plans as well as managing the generation of carbon and renewal energy and energy efficiency credits. Mike attended University of Phoenix, studying Business Administration and Finance. He has also completed executive training at the Chicago Graduate School of Business in Chicago, IL.

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