JOURNAL REVIEW THE IMPACT OF MOBILE TACHNOLOGIES ON DISTANCE EDUCATION This article considers the growing amount of research

h on using mobile technologies in education. As mobile devices becomes increasingly more prevalent, it is imperative to study their use and effect on the growing field of distance education. The brief review of existing literature indicates that traditional theories of learning, in both traditional and distance settings, are relevant and applicable to mobile learning and that mobile devices can be brought thoughtfully into pedagogy at the distance level. Flexibility, portability and accessibility contribute to an overall positive impression on students, while faculty concerns can be met with appropriate training and tailoring to the various teaching and learning styles present in distance education. Student and faculty expectations of a mobile-integrated distance education experience will continue to grow, while teaching and learning should thrive in this increasingly more connected environment. Within the past five years, not only has the number of people with computers increased, the emergence and prevalence of mobile devices has changed the personal technology landscape. The educational potential of mobile devices is large and this paper attempts to examine it from several angles, including faculty and student concerns and expectations. Distance education, while a valuable and flexible option for both students and faculty, also brings with it some limitations and concerns. Although mobile technology holds great promise as a medium for learning, the challenge for educators is to create and provide instruction using the medium in order to engage learners and teach them effectively. It is important to remember that while technology is a critical component of distance education, ultimately educators and administrations must remain focused on learner needs and instructional goals and outcomes. While limitations and concerns about mobile learning exist, with regards to current mobile capabilities, the increased flexibility, minimizing of transactional distance and educational benefits seem to outweigh the disadvantages. As student and faculty expectations for mobile-integrated education grow, distance education programs and institutions will be pressed to keep up with demand