How to Play MP3s and or MP4s on a Mobile Device for mLearning: Part 2 - mLearning Playback on an MP3/MP4 Player or Smartphone

In the last entry, we discussed how to play mLearning media such as MP3 audio files and MP4 video files from a laptop; whether direct from an enclosed link in a browser and email, or if saved locally to the hard drive. Rudimentary stuff for some of you, but it's good to start simple. What's great about knowing how this is done from a laptop is that very similar methods and applications are used when playing from an MP3 player such as an iPod Nano, an MP3/MP4 player such as an iPod Touch or Zune, or a smartphone such as a Droid or iPhone. Most such devices have a local web browser or at least synchronize through one on your laptop, and each has local storage capacity in the form of a hard drive. Thusly, the tutorials we discuss moving forward are very similar in that we will access media directly from a browser on each device, or save locally and play later – just like music.

Part 2: Play mLearning on an MP3 or MP3/MP4 Player or SmartPhone

Play MP3 > Play on an MP3/MP4 Device or SmartPhone > Play Direct from Browser

These instructions assume your device has the ability to browse the Web and store downloaded file data, such as with an iPod Touch or Droid.

1. From the appropriate web page or email, click on the hyperlink provided to you for the MP3 or MP4 files.
2. If prompted to display non-secure items, click Yes (assuming you trust the source).
   
3. Click on the title-link you want to listen to.
4. The MP3/MP4 you selected should open and play in the device’s default audio player. Note that depending on your connection strength and file size, the file may need to load before it starts to play

Play MP3 > Play on MP3/MP4 Player or Smartphone > Save to Device and Play

These instructions assume your device has the ability to browse the Web through WiFi (a wireless internet connection) or mobile network and store downloaded file data, such as with a Droid, Palm Pre or a iPhone.

1. From the appropriate web page or email, click on the hyperlink provided to you for the MP3 or MP4 files.
2. Click on the title-link you want to listen to.
3. If prompted to Play or Save, select Save.
4. Navigate to the new MP3 or MP4 file on your device.
5. Press the Play button. The MP3/MP4 should play from the device.

Play MP3 > Play on MP3/MP4 Device or Smartphone > Save to Media Player and Play

First off, if you use media player software such as iTunes, Windows Media Player, or Winamp, (which is my personal favorite), save your mLearning audio and video files to your respective music and video libraries. These folders are referenced by the application so it automatically knows to add new files to the device. You may want to add a sub-directory entitled “mLearning” so it's all easier to find. These instructions assume your MP3/MP4 player has the ability to store file data when synched with a media player application on your computer workstation or laptop.

1. From the appropriate web page or email, click on the hyperlink provided to you for the MP3 or MP4 files.
2. If prompted to display non-secure items, click Yes.
3. Click on the title-link you want to save (assuming you trust the source).
4. Select Save Target As… (or Save link As... depending on your browser)
5. Navigate to the default directory for the audio or video files referenced by your media player from the Save As window. Follow your media player’s instructions for exact location for synchronization. In most cases, this is typically the MyMusic or /Music folder, however you may want to create a sub-folder, name it mLearning or MyPodcasts, and store your MP3/MP4s there. For Windows Media Player, this is a folder monitored by the Library as accessed from the Library tab. For iTunes, this is the iTunes Music folder location indicated on the Advanced tab under Preferences.
6. Click Save.
   
7. Follow the specific instructions for synchronizing audio files from your media player to your MP3/MP4 player. If you are using an Android based phone, you will need to "Mount" it first. This may involve simply clicking the file(s) and dragging to your device or clicking check-boxes and or setting up play-lists for synchronization after connecting your device to the computer.
8. Once the files are saved to your MP3/MP4 device, disconnect based on its instructions.
9. Navigate to the new MP3 or MP4 file on your device.
10. Press the Play button. The MP3/MP4 should play from the device.
    

In the next part (Part 3), we'll review how to create an audio CD for those who prefer to listen in car or some other type of disc player. Then we'll discuss BlackBerries in Part 4 because they are a different animal.