Learning object design considerations for small-screen handheld devices

The key limitation of handheld technology for the delivery of learning objects is the small screen that is available for effective display. The smallness of the screen not only adversely affects the clarity, but it also negatively impacts on the acceptance and integration of this potentially useful technology in education. Handheld devices are likely to change further in size in the future with consumer demand for less bulky but more powerful devices. This exploratory study investigated characteristics of effective design of learning objects on such devices. This paper reports upon user response to learning object design possibilities and provides a set of recommendations to guide improved utility and future research.