The mLearn 2005 international mobile learning conference will take place from 25 to 28 October 2005, in Cape Town. Pre-conference Workshops will take place on 25 October 2005. This fourth annual conference on mLearning (mobile learning) is the key research and networking event for researchers, strategists, educators, technologists and practitioners from all over the world. mLearn attracts a large number of participants from more than 60 countries representing all continents, and is, therefore, the world's largest international conference on mLearning and emerging ambient technologies.

CONFERENCE THEME: Mobile technology: The future of learning in your hands

The conference will fulfil the need for stimulating critical debate on and research into theories, approaches, principles and applications of mLearning. It will provide an opportunity for professionals and practitioners to share their knowledge, experience and research in the various areas where mLearning is applied. The conference will also serve as an incubator to promote mLearning in Africa.

The objectives for the conference have been defined as follows:
To promote the development of mLearning, globally, but especially in developing countries.
To stimulate critical debate on and research into theories, approaches, principles and applications of mLearning.
To share local and international developments, experiences and lessons learned.
To promote networking and business opportunity development.
To encourage the study and implementation of mobile applications in teaching and learning.
To stimulate and assist personal professional development and the development of new skills for educators.
To provide a forum for education and knowledge transfer.
To facilitate dialogue, sharing and networking between diverse cultures with regard to the optimum use of emerging technologies.


Topics of interest are:
From pilot projects to mainstream implementation: strategies for the large-scale deployment of mLearning
Mobile technology to support open and distance learning (ODL)
mLearning and mobile technology applications in teaching and learning
Mobile technology for student and learning support
Mobile technology for educator and teaching support
Assessment techniques and practices in mLearning
Design and development of learning material for mLearning
Informal and lifelong learning with the aid of mobile technology
Challenges for mLearning in developing countries
Building and implementing mLearning Strategies in Educational Institutions, Companies and Public Sector Organisations
Effective and efficient management of mLearning processes
mLearning management systems (mLMSs)
Creating interactive and collaborative mLearning environments
Future trends in mLearning technology, including the impact of emerging technologies
Emerging hardware and software for mLearning
Mass individualisation
Improving the quality of mLearning through evaluation; including mobile assessment and certification
mLearning as a tool for social change
Ambient intelligence and ambient learning
Innovation in learning theory and pedagogy
Learning objects and metadata for mLearning
The conference programme will make provision for leading, invited Keynote Speakers, Pre-Conference Workshops, Plenary Sessions, Parallel Paper Presentations, Roundtables and Debates, Special Focus Sessions, Poster sessions, Practical Events including Technology and Product/

Service demonstrations
The conference will host an exhibition area, where the latest trends and a series of vendor presentations will be demonstrated.

Who should attend?
mLearn 2005 is a must to attend.

This event brings together some of the leading researchers and practitioners in the field of mLearning. It also appeals to a wide range of audiences who are interested in enhancing learning with designing content and developing systems for mobile devices and wireless networks.

The list includes:
higher education institutions
training providers
educators and researchers from all sectors
independent research organisations
community and voluntary organisations
content developers
learning and skills councils
education authorities
mobile device manufacturers and service providers
hardware and software developers
government departments
telecom operators
publishers
and all others with an interest in mobile and ambient learning.


Abstract submission information:
Submissions may be made in the following participation/presentation categories:
Full papers, poster presentations, panels/roundtables, technical showcases, product/service presentations and pre-conference workshops.

For further details regarding the presentation categories, submission guidelines and more information, as well as to submit an abstract, visit the mLearn 2005 conference website at: http://www.mLearn.org.za


Important dates:
Closing date for the submission of abstracts – 11 March 2005.
Last date for early-bird registration – 1 August 2005
Notification of acceptance – 1 May 2005
Full paper submission – 1 August 2005
Full paper and/or slide show for Technology Showcases – 1 September 2005

Registration:
Information with regards to registration categories and registration fees for the mLearn 2005 conference is available online at: http://www.mLearn.org.za


Conference proceedings:
An edited Book of Abstracts and Conference Proceedings will be published. Note that an edited post-conference publication, that will include a selection of the most relevant and influential papers, is envisaged.


Venue:
Cape Town, South Africa


Steering Committee:
Prof Herman van der Merwe (Chair)
Dr Tom Brown
Dr Johan Freysen
Ms Leah Gouws
Prof André le Roux
Ms Annette Sadie