Language as a Bridge Connecting Formal and Informal Language Learning Through Mobile Devices

Author(s):  
Agnes Kukulska-Hulme
2017 ◽  
Vol 7 (4) ◽  
pp. 1 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hassan Saleh Mahdi

Video captioning is a useful tool for language learning. In the literature, video captioning has been investigated by many studies and the results indicated that video captioning may foster vocabulary learning. Most of the previous studies have investigated the effect of full captions on vocabulary learning. One of the key aspects of vocabulary learning is pronunciation. However, the use of mobile devices for teaching pronunciation has not been investigated conclusively. Therefore, this paper attempts to examine the effect of implementing keyword video captioning on L2 pronunciation using mobile devices. Thirty-four Arab EFL university learners participated in this study and were randomly assigned to two groups (key-word captioned video and full captioned video). The study is an experimental one in which pre- and post-tests were administered to both groups. The results indicated that keyword captioning is a useful mode to improve learner’s pronunciation. The post test results indicate that there was no statistically significant difference between the two modes of captioning on vocabulary learning. However, learners at keyword video captioning performed better that full video captioning. 


2016 ◽  
Vol 9 (12) ◽  
pp. 120 ◽  
Author(s):  
Simone L. Calabrich

<p class="apa">This research explored perceptions of learners studying English in private language schools regarding the use of mobile technology to support language learning. Learners were first exposed to both a mobile assisted and a mobile unassisted language learning experience, and then asked to express their thoughts on the incorporation of mobile devices into the language classroom. The mobile assisted tasks involved learners posting a review online based on a real past experience, as well as using web-search engines to gather enough information to plan a hypothetical trip. Findings revealed overall positive attitudes amongst the students surveyed. Arguments in favour of the incorporation of mobile technology in the language classroom included: the possibility of having access to a range of materials superior in both quality and quantity when using mobile devices to access the Internet, among others. However, a significant amount of scepticism towards Mobile Assisted Language Learning emerged. Arguments against suggested that the format of presentation, rather than the type of task, seemed to constitute a motivational factor that played a psychologically significant role to some of the learners.</p>


Author(s):  
Bin Zou ◽  
Xinxin Yan ◽  
Hui Li

Mobile-assisted language learning (MALL) has been developed rapidly and integrated into language learning in various levels in recent years, particularly for the young generation. Many previous studies reveal that young learners have autonomous learning in using online sources or apps in the MALL context. However, not many studies in China have examined Chinese students' use of MALL. Therefore, this chapter investigates how Chinese college students perceived their use of mobile devices for English as a foreign language (EFL) learning. It was based on two small studies and focused on using online sources and mobile apps for EFL learning on learners' mobile devices. Participants were 166 students from 21 universities in China. Research tools consisted of questionnaires and interviews. The findings demonstrate a high motivation among the participants in using online sources and apps for EFL learning on their mobile devices. The results also showed the impact of different regions on students' attitudes toward MALL. Mobile apps that are related to EFL class context could enhance students' EFL learning.


Author(s):  
Daryl L. Beres

This chapter seeks to refocus the conversation about mobile-assisted language learning (MALL) from the instructor’s perspective to the student’s. I argue that mobile “teaching” does not need to be located within a course, but that we are “m-teaching” whenever we encourage or enable learners to use mobile devices “to facilitate, support, enhance and extend ... [their] learning” (Attewell, Savill-Smith, & Douch, 2009, p. 1). This chapter will explore important concerns related to this definition, including conceptions of learning, blurred boundaries between personal and educational lives, the affordances and limitations of mobile devices, and learner autonomy. A look at the m-learning research literature will show students’ perceptions of MALL running the gamut from skeptics to believers. Finally, the chapter reports on the long-term investigation of learner beliefs and practices of MALL which is underway at Mount Holyoke College, and offers five initial conclusions.


2012 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. 1-25 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sergio Gómez ◽  
Ramón Fabregat

In technology-enhanced learning, the use of mobile applications is increasing, which improves students’ learning experiences, allowing them to carry out daily activities anytime, anywhere. However, the majority of the available learning contents have been designed for desktop computers; thus, accessing that information is limited by the technical capabilities of mobile devices. As a result, students might lose interest and motivation to learn using their mobile devices if content adaptation and learning personalization processes are not appropriately designed. In this paper, the authors present a context-aware adaptation architecture for mobile learning. In the architecture, two mechanisms based on conditional statements from the IMS Learning Design specification and a transcoding mechanism are presented. Moreover, which learner’s contextual information can be represented to design the learning process and retrieved to adapt activities and resources is explained by the description of a context-aware mobile-assisted second language learning scenario.


ReCALL ◽  
2008 ◽  
Vol 20 (3) ◽  
pp. 271-289 ◽  
Author(s):  
Agnes Kukulska-Hulme ◽  
Lesley Shield

AbstractMobile learning is undergoing rapid evolution. While early generations of mobile learning tended to propose activities that were carefully crafted by educators and technologists, learners are increasingly motivated by their personal learning needs, including those arising from greater mobility and frequent travel. At the same time, it is often argued that mobile devices are particularly suited to supporting social contacts and collaborative learning - claims that have obvious relevance for language learning. A review of publications reporting mobile-assisted language learning (MALL) was undertaken to discover how far mobile devices are being used to support social contact and collaborative learning. In particular, we were interested in speaking and listening practice and in the possibilities for both synchronous and asynchronous interaction in the context of online and distance learning. We reflect on how mobile language learning has developed to date and suggest directions for the future.


ReCALL ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 30 (3) ◽  
pp. 299-318 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chun Lai ◽  
Dongping Zheng

AbstractThe essence of mobile learning is learners’ agentic use of mobile devices to create learning experiences across time and space. Thus, understanding learners’ perceptions and preferred use of mobile devices for learning are critical to realizing the educational potentials of mobile learning. This study explored language learners’ self-directed use of mobile devices beyond the classroom through a survey and interview study with foreign language learners at a university in Hong Kong. A total of 256 learners were surveyed and 18 were interviewed to understand the nature of mobile language learning experiences that these learners engaged in autonomously beyond the classroom. Exploratory factor analysis yielded three dimensions of self-directed out-of-class mobile learning experience. Among the three dimensions, learners were found to use mobile devices more for facilitating the personalization of learning than for enhancing the authenticity and social connection in learning. This study further revealed that selective use was an outcome of the interaction between learner-defined affordances of the devices, their culturally informed and habitual use of the devices, their perceptions of the nature of the learning tasks, and the tempo-spatial circumstances of task implementation. The findings suggest that these factors need to be considered when designing mobile learning activities and educational interventions that promote mobile learning beyond the classroom.


Author(s):  
Fazeena Jamaldeen ◽  
Priyantha Hewagamage ◽  
Yamaya Ekanayaka

<p class="0abstract">Mobile devices have proven to be an appropriate tool which expands the horizons of learning beyond the classroom through means of flexibility and portability. Throughout this study, the authors have worked with a set of design guidelines which were derived from the literature. The artifact developed considering these design guidelines has been evaluated among various user groups for better understanding of m-learning as a tool to support English Language Learning. Findings of these evaluations have been used to improve the design guidelines.  The authors also identify the effectiveness of mobile learning as a supporting medium of learning and as a primary medium of learning among different learner groups, which is another outcome of this study. </p>


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