Determine if you have the necessary equipment to engage in mobile learning. You can use a variety of devices for mobile learning, such as smartphones, PDAs, MP3 players, netbooks and handheld video game devices. If you do not own one of these devices, consider affordability and usefulness before making a purchase. If you are an educator contemplating using mobile learning in the classroom, consider the feasibility of purchasing mobile devices for students that do not own them, as well as the possibility of theft and misuse.
Consider how adept you are when dealing with new technology and evaluate whether you need help. If you are technologically savvy and do not have a problem using electronic equipment, consider yourself well-suited for mobile learning. Experiment with the device you will be using and determine if you are able to manipulate it without help. If you prefer more traditional methods of learning and have difficulties using computers and cell phones, re-evaluate whether mobile learning is suited for you or consider seeking training for yourself or for your students.
Decide if the device you will be using is suited for the type of tasks you in which you will be engaging. If you will be doing a significant amount of writing or have difficulty with your eyesight, it may be best to use a tablet or a netbook. The keyboard on a smaller device might be too tiny to type easily, and the screen might be too small to see the content. If you will be learning through games and interactive programs and have good eyesight, a small device, such as a smartphone or an MP3 player might suffice. It is best to test this before investing in any new technology.
Consider how you will assess students' learning, if you are an educator. Mobile devices with Internet access allow students another opportunity to cheat on exams, so it is important to formulate ways of decreasing the chance of this if you are conducting student evaluations on mobile devices.