With mobile devices becoming more common and functional, many students would like to access their online courses using them. Most LMS’s now have apps that allow students to view course content and complete assignments on a mobile device. This provides great flexibility and convenience for the student, but there are drawbacks:
- You need to be reliably connected to the internet
- You must be able to create text documents, for written assignments
- Writing a paper on a small touchscreen could be time-consuming or an annoyance
- You must be able to download PDF’s and other file types
- Battery life of a mobile device is a concern – streaming lecture videos or slideshows can quickly drain a battery
- Some online classes, such as a chemistry lab, may need special software or programs, and mobile devices may not be supported