Distance Learning for Student-Inmates in Higher Education through Digital Mobile Devices

University students with particular constraints require alternative educational approaches that compensate for these limitations that they face.In fact, unable to follow traditional classroom training, "student-inmates" (Pike& Adams 2012) turn to distance learning.But today, unlike before, this practice is dependent on an Internet connection through learning platforms.Learning platforms allow the student's work to be organized, and for digital resources to be readily available, which can be submitted and reviewed.But also, students can communicate with teachers and tutors.In France, except in experimental cases in a few penitentiaries, prisons are not connected to the Internet.Therefore, educational and technical solutions for this particular setting must be provided by instructors in higher education as well as instructional designers.The research presented in this paper is ongoing and it focuses on the project entitled, IDEFI (Initiatives d'Excellence pour l'enseignement et la formation innovantes) i , at the University of Paul-Valry Montpellier.The objective of this project is to increase the success rate of student-inmates during their freshman year of university studies.For this population, this means receiving education through the use of digital mobile devices, promoting active participation.Following this approach, teachers involved create a pedagogical environment that fosters learning within the penal system.For example, cultural tours can be provided via video recordings for inmate research through digital platforms from students outside the correctional system.Educators in higher education also propose other activities that help maintain a link with the outside world.In light of the existence of special educators in the prison context, digital mobile devices can provide support for the development and integration of best practices.Because of that, the assessment of the activities must be strictly individual and pedagogical resources should be installed on authorized mobile devices in correctional facilities.Throughout this article, solutions are offered and examples are given on how distance learning can be adapted to the prison context through the use of digital mobile devices and more generally, adapted to an environment without Internet access.