In fulfilment of Assignment 3

EDID 6506
Issues, Trends, Innovations and Research In ID, IT &DE

An Emerging Trend/ Issue

By
Meganne Mc Neil-Harry
University of the West Indies Open Campus
Post Graduate Diploma Instructional Design

Table of Contents
ABSTRACT ......................................................................................3
IDENTIFICATION OF EMERGING TREND/ISSUE .................................................. 3
IBM Xeneca Hot Lava Mobile Cloud: Learning solutions. ................... 3
RELEVANCE TO THE FIELD............................................................................ 4
. ............................................................................................................ 6
............................................................................................................. 6
EVIDENCE OF ARTEFACTS ............................................................................ 7
IDENTIFICATION OF INITIATOR OF EMERGING TREND/ISSUE ................................ 8
Timeline ............................................................................................. 9
EXAMPLES OF USE ................................................................................... 11
REFERENCES .......................................................................................... 13
REFLECTION ........................................................................................... 15
CLOSING REMARKS. ................................................................................ 17

Abstract
Oxford Dictionary has defined a trend as a general direction in which something is developing
or changing. In this research paper, I will attempt to outline the use of the mobile devices to
create data presentations and deliver the presentations on the go through the mobile learning
facilities that have been recently developed in the IBM Corporation.

Identification of emerging trend/issue

IBM Xeneca Hot Lava Mobile Cloud: Learning solutions.

IBM Kenexa Hot Lava Mobile on Cloud helps you rapidly develop, deliver and analyze
device-independent mobile content for priority communications, mobile learning and
performance support scenarios. This software allows you to develop content once and deploy it
to popular mobile devices.
It aids educators to develop, deliver and deploy rich mobile content in m-Learning environments.
This trend is not new but has been developing over the years since it aimed at meeting firstly the
corporate needs of workers who needed easy accessibility to data/ information on the- go.
Over the past 5 years there have been wide ranging debates about how to define, precisely, what
mobile learning is? The difficulty in reaching a consensus is partially because of the rapid
evolution of this as a field, and partially because mobile learning works best when it is a part of
something else.
The eLearning Guild defines m-Learning as any activity that allows individuals to be more
productive when consuming, interacting with, or creating information, mediated through a
compact digital portable device that the individual carries on a regular basis, has reliable
connectivity, and fits in a pocket or purse.
Organizations are almost always looking for more efficient ways to interact with their
employees, customers and partners. Mobile learning, communications and performance support
have become key components in helping people improve the way they do business. It has be

considered a trending tool for the carrying out of numerous specified job aids and tasks without
being in the actual office or job location. This has been so important to business enterprises that
the education system around the world has recognised its relevance. Hence, the thrust for its use
was launched since February 2014, to include the trend in educational technology for
instructional design and distance education. The education system has embarked on educational
technology to act as instructional support for blended and online learning.

Many authoring specialists have selected PowerPoint development to act as a catalyst for the
creation of content material. Instructional Technologists use Microsoft PowerPoint to develop
device-independent mobile content using Mobile Content Builder. The PowerPoint plug-in
contains intuitive extensions for creating surveys, quizzes and assessments. It also allows you to
upload rich media such as streaming video, audio files, ePubs and Adobe PDFs. The familiarity
of the product and the develop once concept means instructional designers save development
time and provide faster time-to-delivery.
Mobile Content Builder uses all types of device-independent mobile content to meet a wide
variety of priority communications, mobile learning and performance support scenarios. Unlike
other tools, Mobile Content Builder allows instructional designers to develop content once and
deploy it to virtually all popular mobile devices and tablets, including Symbian, BlackBerry,
Windows, iPhone/iPad, Android.

Relevance to the field

In learning environments, The Hot Lava Mobile Cloud, has been even further diversified by the
IBM Corporation to meet the requirements of online learners through mobile devices. The
corporation has improved the trending tool to develop course content for online courses through
the Learning Solutions facility.
IBM Kenexa Hot Lava Mobile on Cloud: Learning Solutions offers four features that are
considered integral for any learning environment. They include:

Content development features that allow you to develop content once and use it for
multiple mobile devices.

Rapid delivery of content to any Internet-enabled mobile device without the need for
customization.

Broad analysis of content delivery and usage in near real time.

A flexible solution for mobile learning, communications and performance support.

The Content development features were created to save development time and speed time to
delivery. The software is not unrealistic in nature but is relevant and easy to read information
with regards to a particular area of study. Instructional design has been successful due to the near
resemblance to a face to face classroom. Therefore, the lessons that are instructed via the
Learning Solutions aim at maintaining the visual effects and high content level just as the face to
face classrooms. The use of the IBM Kenexa Hot Lava Mobile on Cloud: Learning Solutions let
the instructional designer create surveys, quizzes, assessments and add streaming video using a
Microsoft PowerPoint plug-in. Any amount of vast information is shared and the recipients are
able to access reliable content.
Since the impetus for the trend is to engage the use of mobile devices, the software offers
automatic conversion of media to the most appropriate format for the target platform such as
MP4, 3GP, WMV and M4V. Accommodative software conversions are made available as part of
the Learning Solutions initiative to foster buy-in to the product. There leaves no room for
excuses as to why accessibility is impossible. In addition, it provides the inclusion of audio
podcasts. Smartphones and android devices have a plethora of voice and sound recorder effects
that will be quite helpful in creating adequate simulations of the actual classroom. The trend of
IBM Learning Solutions therefore, tries to ensure suitability of all features to create a complete
and effective simulation. Much like Microsoft Suite, the tools allows for automated preview and
publishing of the completed content before delivery. This is important to ensure visibility of
information from all recipients.
From the corporate perspective, rapid delivery of information was paramount to integrate with
existing corporate delivery systems. In order for the systemic success of IBM Learning
Solutions, a high level of connectivity must be available from the systems provided in the
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corporation. It provides the capability to set administrative rights to define module access. Also,
it facilitates sending SMS text and emails to your employees, partners and customers. It offers
optimized video streaming and tracking for the detected device. In addition, it downloads content
to Smartphones or tablet applications. With the emergence of the IBM Learning Solutions for
educational environments, most of these features are mapped to the similar concepts in the
corporate environment. International Universities engage the use of the software to maintain
copyrights and the necessary permissions to avoid plagiarism and maintain transparency.
The inception of standalone online courses such as MOOCs and Cloud-based learning presents a
Broad analysis of IBM Kenexa Hot Lava Mobile on Cloud: Learning Solutions. By definition, a
MOOC is a course of study made available over the Internet without charge to a very large
number of people. In addition, Cloud based learning is online learning, or e-learning, that is
available in the cloud. It means that resources are stored in a virtual environment and accessed
from various forms of web-enabled devices. With the introduction of the Learning Solutions
software, education technology engages such online facilities to let conduct analysis be evaluated
as a standalone or through an LMS. Cathy Moore states that a Learning Management System is a
software application or Web-based technology used to plan, implement, and assess a specific
learning process.
It also provides feedback about the use and effectiveness of mobile content. The getting on
board of all mobile devices is important to gain access to the information. At no point in time
does a recipient have an issue with connection once an internet connection is available. While
using the Learning Solutions tool, it allows participants to gain pertinent information about
questions and answers, scores, access times, video statuses and the type of device used.
The trending tool has been most efficient in providing a flexible solution in the corporate
environment for several issues. It allows for the delivery of high-priority corporate
communications, strategies and critical business updates. Similarly, in the learning environment,
students/ participants are able to understand institutional objectives and receive important
updates in a timely fashion about institutional issues that may arise over a short period of time. It
helps keep collaborative teams informed, productive and competitive at times in various

assignments and course deliveries. Compliance training and designed simulations let the
participant overcome accessibility and convenience barriers.
Knowledge and skills requirements are easily connected to efficiently carry out the assigned
tasks/ roles from both an individual and group perspective. The need for regular updates is
important especially in group work and IBM Learning Solutions has mapped this concept from
within the corporate environment.
Technological integration is also catering under the devise of the software and hardware. LMS
integration lets learners launch content either directly through IBM Kenexa Hot Lava Mobile on
Cloud or the LMS. The options are made available to ensure that all students are able to actively
participate. The security of the tool also tracks content automatically and returns user
information to the LMS. There is little or no room for the mismanagement of the information by
hackers and corrupt software users. In addition, the confidentiality of the information shared
allows LMS to be the single interface for course administration, enrolment, tracking and
reporting for mobile learning as well as other learning modalities. This feature creates
accountability of information and resources. In addition, it limits the random user to participate
in irrelevant information that may only act as a distraction to them.

Evidence of artefacts
Many supporting vidblogs and podcasts have illustrated the use and importance of the content
builder on mobile devices to advance educational technology. See Cloud 1 and Cloud 2 which
demonstrates a step by step tutelage of the design and use of the software.

IBM Kenexa Learning Solutions reinvented the way learners think about learning. High
performance organizations typically understand the importance learning and development play in
increasing engagement, decreasing time to productivity and retaining top talent. They understand
that managing development and implementing learning programs that complement those efforts
and sit parallel to future business requirements tend to be critical to a successful learning
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solution. It is no secret that properly trained and knowledgeable employees can make better
informed decisions and respond quickly to business needs which can lead to greater success for
differing learning environments.
With IBM Clouds Learning Solutions, learners can manage each of their learning needs for
formal and social learning, including classroom, virtual, online, and mobile, as well as
collaboration, networking, sharing and the ability to rate content and share experiences. It can
save time and money in developing, managing, maintaining and deploying the content that is
useful.

Learning Solutions offers integrated formal, social and mobile learning that works with
organizations of virtually any size. The division of formal and social becomes transparent to the
user, and the social components of the system contribute to the learning process in a way that can
benefit the organizations collective knowledge.

Identification of initiator of emerging trend/issue

The learning space is reinventing itself as formal training for the workforce
moves toward collaborative, social-learning based solutions. Bersin &
Associates Research Report, 2012.

Kenexa is a global provider of business solutions for human resources. Within the earlier part of
2014 they announced the launch of Kenexa Hot Lava Mobile 3.0. It is a leading mobile solution
used to develop, manage and analyze the results of independent device communications, snack
learning, performance support, sales enablement and surveys. The launch of Hot Lava Mobile
3.0 marked Kenexas entry into the mobile learning marketplace. Kenexa added Hot Lava
Mobile to its portfolio in February as part of its acquisition of OutStart.

IBM Corporation embarked on marketing the product in the USA shortly after the launch by
Keneca in 2012 to manipulate the product for use in the advancement of educational technology
in February 2014.

Timeline

In the 1960s, J.C.R. Licklider stated his vision that everyone on the globe should be
interconnected and accessing programs and data at any site, from anywhere. In addition, John
McCarthy proposed the idea of computation being delivered as a public utility, similar to the
service bureaus.Since the sixties, cloud computing has developed along a number of lines, with
Web 2.0 being the most recent evolution. However, since the internet only started to offer
significant bandwidth in the nineties, cloud computing for the masses has been something of a
late developer.
What began as an attempt to improve the telegraph, more than a hundred years ago, has evolved
into the single most important piece of consumer electronics in the world, acting not only as a
communications device but now as a learning tool . In the 1990s, telecommunications companies
started offering virtualized private network connections.
Hence, there was the development of the mobile phone. However, before the creation of the
mobile phone, in 1999 Ericsson and Nokia had already published their plans for the development
of wireless applications. One of the first milestones in cloud computing history was the arrival of
Salesforce.com in 1999, which pioneered the concept of delivering enterprise applications via a
simple website. The services firm paved the way for both specialist and mainstream software
firms to deliver applications over the internet.
A typical example is the 12 laser discs of the early 1990s. These laser discs had excellent
pedagogical possibilities and excellent courses were developed for them especially in the field of
ESL (English as a Second Language), but they were not successful because not enough people
owned one. There was a continuum from the point of view of functionality in the devices used

for e-learning and m-learning. This continuum has developed from desktop computers to laptop
computers to PDAs or handhelds or palmtops to Smartphones to mobile phones.

However, a major breakthrough in both the quality and quantity of provision came in the 1970s
with the foundation of the European open universities, notably the Open University of the United
Kingdom at Milton Keynes, the Universidad Nacional de 6 Educacin a Distancia at Madrid, and
the FernUniversitt in Hagen, Germany, which were followed by other open universities all over
the world.

Although the course materials of these open universities attracted much attention it was the
student support services that they provided which enabled these universities to spearhead the
change in status of distance education. They brought it about that nationally and internationallyrecognised university degrees, college diplomas and training certification could be won at a
distance.
Since the late 1990s, LMSs (Learning Management Systems) have helped organizations
automate their learning programs by providing resources online. More recently, LMSs have
evolved from a system of record to a tool that supports continuous learning with the learner
experience at the forefront. According to Josh Bersin of Bersin by Deloitte, Companies should
focus on building a learning architecture, integrating their technologies, driving a deeper focus
on content and the learning experience and driving a learning culture. Todays LMS needs the
right learning assets and delivery options to enable users to succeed.
The next development of cloud technology was Amazon Web Services in 2002, which provided
a suite of cloud-based services including storage, computation and even human intelligence
through the Amazon Mechanical Turk. Then in 2006, Amazon launched its Elastic Compute
cloud (EC2) as a commercial web service that allows small companies and individuals to rent
computers on which to run their own computer applications. Another big milestone came in
2009, as Web 2.0 hit its stride, and Google and others started to offer browser-based enterprise
applications, though services such as Google Apps.

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It was only since 2007 that Smart phones really seized the public imagination; the same year
when the I revolution began with the launch of the iPhone. Soon after and alongside its launch,
was the introduction of Smartphone from HTC, Google, Samsung, Nokia, Motorola and the like.
A UN report summarized that by 2009, six in ten people (more than 4 billion individuals) around
the world were carrying a powerful computing device in their pockets and purses. This surge in
the adoption of Smartphone fuelled by the advent of powerful telecommunication networks and
the many affordances of mobile devices, made mobile the perfect candidate for delivering
learning. And thus began the saga of Mobile Learning.
According to IBM Global CEO survey in 2010, volatility and uncertainty are endemic in
business today. It was predicted that over the next 5 years, 8 out of 10 CEOs expected an
increase in the complexity after the post recession period. In so doing they recognised the
Outsmart Hot Lava Mobile software that was designed by Kenexa in 2012.
Despite the fact that several other global providers were competing for acclaim such as Soft
Layer (one of the largest global providers of cloud computing infrastructure), IBM Corporation
chose Kenexas Outsmart Hot Lava Mobile. Since 2013, IBM Corporation has adopted buy-in
to the cloud computing that Kenexa has created and they have made significant modification to
the Outsmart product.
Between February 21 and March 7, 2014, IBM has launched February 21, 2014 IBM Kenexa
LCMS Premier on Cloud, IBM Kenexa Hot Lava Mobile on Cloud and IBM Kenexa LMS on
Cloud which were all geared at integrating development of content for educational purposes on
the go.

Examples of use
1) Roschelle, Patton, and Tatar (2007) claim that using mobile devices transforms the
mathematics classroom into a student, assessment, knowledge, and communitycentred
entity. Genossar, Botzer, and Yerushalmy (2008) analysed the learning processes and
experiences that occurred within a mobile phone learning environment. They found that,
apart from making the dynamic mathematical applications more accessible, the mobile
phone enabled students to engage in real, authentic tasks. For instance, students could
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record simple dynamic events with their cell phones video cameras and later convert the
video clips into mathematical models using the mathematics applications. The mobile
phone learning environment also allowed the students to work collaboratively by sharing
graphs and formulae and solving problems collectively. This helped establish a
community of mathematics learners.

2) The standards-based integration approach enables your LMS to be the single interface for
course administration, enrollment, tracking and reporting for mobile learning as well as
other learning modalities. Learning modalities can be widespread from corporate
functionalities to education and training. Attendants in a hospital who are specializing in
surgery can access video content on the go for the execution of surgeries in their field of
study. The attached illustration provides a visual example of the Hot Lava Mobile Cloud
in accessing an event while in transit or on the job at a different location.

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References
Keegan, D. The incorporation of mobile learning into mainstream education and training.
Retrieved from http://www.mlearn.org/mlearn2005/CD/papers/keegan1.pdf
Rouse, M . Essential Guide: Talent management system essential guide. Retrieved from
http://searchcio.techtarget.com/definition/learning-management-system
IBM Corporation 2014 IBM Software. Data sheet: IBM Kenexa Mobile Content Builder on
Cloud. Make mobile learning, communications and performance support available to your
employees. Retrieved from
http://www-01.ibm.com/common/ssi/cgiin/ssialias?subtype=SP&infotype=PM&appname=SWGE_LO_PT_USEN&htmlfid=LOD14051
USEN&attachment=LOD14051USEN.PDF

Upside Learning(n.d). 9 Ways People Are Using Mobile Learning Presentation. Retrieved
from
http://www.upsidelearning.com/blog/index.php/2014/11/06/9-ways-people-are-using-mobilelearning-presentation/

Talent and workforce management. Engaging employees to drive the business

http://www-03.ibm.com/software/products/en/ibm-kenexa-hot-lava-mobile-on-cloud

m-learning.org - the original!. Retrieved 20 Oct 2014. http://www.m-learning.org/knowledgecentre/whatismlearning

Tech Targ. A history of Cloud Computing. Retrieved from
http://www.computerweekly.com/feature/A-history-of-cloud-computing

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Roschelle, J., Patton, C., & Tatar, D. (2007). Designing networked handheld devices to enhance school
learning. Advances in Computers, 70, 160. Retrieved from
http://www.irrodl.org/index.php/irrodl/article/view/1065/2075

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Reflection

My peers in EDID 6506 have just completed the Assignment 3. The assignment aimed at
extending my research skills on web quests and other sources. In one word I will describe the
research process as Extensive.
After what I would describe as uncertainty to choose the assignment as the last of my 3
individual assignments, it was a choice that I made quite reluctantly. The rough start to the paper
went on for a long time. Several trends or issues in the field of instructional design, instructional
technology and distance education presented themselves. Unfortunately, the decision was
severely obstructed with the September 2013 timeframe.
I made several attempts to post an emerging trend/ issue to the forum. Finally, I decided on the
IBM Kenexa Hot Lava Mobile Cloud. Peer feedback and brainstorming with another participant
greatly aided me in my decision on moving forward into the assignment. This paper began about
three weeks prior to the deadline. I was quite sure that I would be close to completion and limit
any disorganization.
The plethora of research was messy and sent me to numerous websites at simultaneous times.
Long hours of reading and referrals were spent to get to the genesis of the trend. I even contacted
the IBM Corporation to seek additional information about their involvement in the establishment
of the trending tool. I was at a loss about how they became a part of the Kenexa Outsmart Hot
Lava Mobile Cloud and the information that was available created no distinct link to the two
corporations. Ms. Leiza Rosenburgh at the HR Online Outlet for IBM Corporation contacted me
via e-mail to describe the acquisition process between Kenexa and IBM Corporation. It was quite
helpful since the documentation of such a relationship was vague and unclear.
At this point, I felt a little more confident to progress with the paper. The relevance to the fields
of instructional design and distance education were obvious with the influx of mobile learning
and e-learning in the recent times. After reading many blogs and instructional technologists
reviews about cloud computing to catalyze m-learning, I myself was convinced of the benefits.

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The artefacts and evidence section of the paper required even more extensive research. Much of
the artefacts were archived into sporadic timelines that seemed very illogical. Ericsson embarked
on the design of mobile phones in 1999, but the consideration was not made until 2010 by
Kenexa to integrate the mobile phone into a learning trend with the initiation of suitable
software. In addition, in 2009, Keneca initiated the thrust for cloud computing for education but
that took more than 5 years for it to become recognised by international service provider such as
IBM Corporation.
Pockets of potential use of the Content Builder were widespread but did not filter in the tenets
required for educational technology until early in the 21st century. The Content Builder was
designed to enhance workforce capabilities. Therefore the challenge was undecided about
embarking on such integration. The examples I used were succinct to not overwhelm but
deliberately look at the use from two differing ends of the spectrum with education in mind.
Overall, I found the research again very extensive but it was an eye opener for me since I thought
I understood what a web quest meant until now. The deep research took me to places that I never
knew existed and I learnt so much overlapping information that can be very useful as an
Instructional designer. I have learnt quite a lot despite my misconception that research should be
straightforward.

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Closing Remarks.
IBM Kenexa Hot Lava Mobile has been designed to limit any barriers to learning using the
learning in the cloud ideology. The thrust by IBM and Kenexa to further diversify the potential
uses of advanced software was welcomed. Instructional designers will be able to truly benefit
from it in creating and delivering content for the blended and online classrooms. My
acknowledgements are extended to The IBM Corporation, in particular Ms. Leiza Rosenburgh
who took the time out to email me a response to the question, what level of input do the two
companies share?
The I age is being greatly upgraded and maintains relevance with the input of cloud-based
learning such as the IBM Kenexa Hot Lava Mobile Cloud on almost all mobile devices. The
introduction and development of new and emerging trends in the cloud based learning arena will
be appreciated to all and sundry in the future. My heartfelt thanks are extended to Mrs. Camille
Dickson- Deane and the administration of the UWI Open Campus for allowing me the privilege
to participate in such an informative activity.

THE END

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