IARJSET ISSN (Online) 2393-8021 ISSN (Print) 2394-1588 International Advanced Research Journal in Science, Engineering and Technology ISO 3297:2007 Certified Vol. 4, Issue 5, May 2017 Copyright to IARJSET DOI10.17148/IARJSET.2017.4508 37 Learning Anytime, Anywhere: Benefits and Challenges of M-Learning through the Cloud Samar Alamri 1 , Dr. Maram Meccawy 2 , Bushra Khoja 3 , Hasnaa Bakhribah 4 Information System, KAU, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia 1,2,3,4 Abstract: With mobile learning (m-learning), the learner only needs to have a smartphone and access to the internet; with that, they can access all the resources they need to study without having to carry books around with them. Some of the advantages of m-learning include areduction in cost, elasticity, flexibility and collaborative learning. On the flipside, this method of learning has its drawbacks that include screen size and the battery life of the smart phone, distractions during the learning process, and internet charges. Since the advantages are on the higher side, it is important that the mobile learning be adopted by educational instotuties and training centres to enhance the quality and accessibility of learning. The introduction of new technology in m-learning such as ambient intelligence, location-based learning, and learning implants implies that mobile learning has a bright future. This paper provides an overview of m- learning via the cloud computing technology and introduces a mobile application that teaches programming to young children as an example of this type of learning. Keywords: Cloud computing, Mobile learning (m-learning), Android Application, Programming, e-Learning. I. INTRODUCTION Technology influences all aspects of human lives, including education, training, health, tourism, to name but a few. Cloud computing and mobile learning are two innovations in the technological realm that have changed how individuals learn, store and access data. Cloud computing could be described a service that allows for storage and access of data and programs remotely over the internet [9]. This service allows multiple individuals to access and manipulate programs as they wish, together with the ability to store as much data as they can over the internet. Certain technological companies usually offer the service. They include Google, Apple, Amazon, and Microsoft, among many other providers. Cloud computing is categorized into three broad categories: infrastructure as a service (IaaS), platform as a service (PaaS) and software as service (SaaS) [3]. In platform as a service, a consumer who most likely is a corporate company, is given the ability to develop its custom web development tool by the service provider, which can be accessed by its employees. The service provider will most likely host the software after the system been developed. This software allows the employees of the company to log in using provided user names and passwords. The company will have control over manipulating the data entered in by its employees. Examples of PaaS providers are Google app engine and Amazon Elastic Beanstalk [9]. Infrastructure as a service involves a situation where the service provider offers the client a virtual storage together with access to a virtual server. The service provider manages the actual server or the hardware components of the server. The clients share the server as if they have full control of it. The clients manage their websites from the same server and have the ability to store as much information as they can in the virtual storage. Software as a service allows the client to use software applications provided by the service provider over the internet. A good example is Microsoft Office online. The client can access these software applications remotely from any location or hardware capable of accessing the internet. The client is, therefore, free from the responsibility of handling this software [6]. These are the main uses of cloud computing tools and from the above information, it couldbe concluded that cloud computing is very much necessary in this age and time. Education is a vital sector in any country that strives to improve its labor force and for general economic development. It is, therefore, necessary that new ways of circulating knowledge are developed to keep up the pace with the technological advances in the current world.. Mobile technologies [14] as well as cloud computing are paving the road towards achieving this goal. Learning is no longer only taking place in the classroom as learners are constantly on the move. Mobile learning involves learning across multiple contexts, through social and content interactions, using personal electronic devices such as mobile phones and tablets. It gained popularity as it provides convenience and flexibility since mobile learning can be accessed anywhere, at the exact moment learning is required. It provides learning on demand and allows users more control over their learning process. M-Learning enables the learner and the teacher to share knowledge through devices such as smartphones, tablets, and personal computers. This has revolutionized how learning takes place since students can now learn from any location and not only in the confines of the classroom. Teachers can prepare and access digital content and assessment tests that they send to students over the internet. This has improved how students access information. The only hardware that the