One emerging ubiquitous learning concept that I believe deserves more attention in our MOOC community is Ambient Learning. While many have discussed mobile learning, social media learning, and networked learning, ambient learning expands these ideas by focusing on how learning becomes seamlessly integrated into our daily environments through context-aware technologies.

Ambient Learning refers to learning that occurs naturally and continuously as people move through digitally enriched environments. It relies on context-aware systems, ubiquitous sensors, AI-based recommendations, and location-based triggers to deliver learning content exactly when and where it is most relevant. In short, the environment itself becomes a “teacher”—quietly offering guidance, resources, or feedback without requiring the learner to intentionally seek it.

Example of Ambient Learning in Practice

Imagine a student visiting a historical district. As they walk past an old building, their mobile device or wearable automatically provides a short multimedia history of the site through augmented reality. No need to scan a QR code or open an app—the learning is activated by presence and context. This is already happening in cities like Amsterdam and Singapore through AR-enhanced learning tours.

Another example is language learning through smart assistants like Google Assistant or Alexa. When a learner mispronounces a word, the device can gently correct it or offer alternatives—learning in real time, in the flow of daily life. Ambient learning represents the next step toward truly seamless, lifelong, and lifewide learning—supporting the e-Learning Ecologies principle of ubiquity by ensuring learning opportunities surround us everywhere.

For a visual illustration, see:

Ambient learning overview: https://elearningindustry.com/ambient-learning-next-big-thing-corporate-training

AR-triggered learning demo: https://youtu.be/5h8i7a4x2m0