title: Mobile learning in resource-constrained environments: a case study of medical education.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The achievement of the millennium development goals may be facilitated by the use of information and communication technology in medical and health education.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  This study intended to explore the use and impact of educational technology in medical education in resource-constrained environments.
  
  
  METHODS
  A multiple case study was conducted in two Nepalese teaching hospitals. The data were analysed using activity theory as an analytical basis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There was little evidence for formal e-learning, but the findings indicate that students and residents adopted mobile technologies, such as mobile phones and small laptops, as cultural tools for surprisingly rich 'informal' learning in a very short time. These tools allowed learners to enhance (a) situated learning, by immediately connecting virtual information sources to their situated experiences; (b) cross-contextual learning by documenting situated experiences in the form of images and videos and re-using the material for later reflection and discussion and (c) engagement with educational content in social network communities.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  By placing the students and residents at the centre of the new learning activities, this development has begun to affect the overall educational system. Leveraging these tools is closely linked to the development of broad media literacy, including awareness of ethical and privacy issues.
authors.affiliation: Institute for Information Systems, University of Applied Sciences, Northwestern Switzerland, Switzerland. christoph.pimmer@fhnw.ch
authors.forename: Christoph
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Pimmer
authors.forename: Sebastian
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Linxen
authors.forename: Urs
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Gröhbiel
authors.forename: Anil Kumar
authors.initials: AK
authors.lastname: Jha
authors.forename: Günter
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Burg
mesh_terms: D040421:Cell Phone; D034201:Computers, Handheld; D020375:Education, Distance / Q000379:methods*; D006784:Hospitals, Teaching; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet; D007858:Learning; D009390:Nepal