Mobile Assisted
Language Learning (MALL)
Introduction
The learning and teaching
environments of the twenty first century are changing very fast due to
unprecedented opportunities, advancement of information and communication
technologies have created for education. After around half a century of integrating
computers into instruction, the rapid evolution of mobile devices is opening up
a whole world of new learning experiences with technology.
Mobile
Learning (M-learning)
Mobile learning refers to the use of
mobile devices for the purpose of learning.
Mobile learning is a process of using a
mobile device to access and study learning materials to communicate with fellow
students, instructors or institution. -
Ally
Objectives
of Mobile Learning
i.
To enhance students motivation through
the use of familiar technology.
ii.
To increase students’ use of the four
skills- listening, speaking, reading and writing in English language.
iii.
To enable students to become more
competent in English language and foster the use of English language for
communication.
iv.
To facilitate the learning process as
students have the possibility to explore, analyze, discover and choose
activities which are real and meaningful.
v.
To enhance interaction between real and
virtual environments.
vi.
To promote self learning, learning by
fun and learner centered approach.
Characteristics
of Mobile Learning
i.
Spontaneous:
Mobile learning is more spontaneous than other learning types. It is this
spontaneity that is probably the most defining characteristics of mobile
learning. Mobile learning is content aware, meaning that students can learn
everywhere. Wireless technologies such as laptop computers, palmtop computers
and mobile phones are revolutionizing education and transforming the
traditional classroom based learning and teaching into anytime anywhere
education.
ii.
Portable size of mobile tools:
Mobile learning tools are small and portable. Students can use it anywhere and
everywhere during their learning activities.
iii.
Blended:
Teachers can use this approach with blended learning model. Students can use
mobile tools for homework, projects etc in education. Blended learning which
combines classroom instruction with M learning can maximize the benefits of
both face-to-face and online methods.
iv.
Private:
M learning is private. It means that only one learner at a time usually has
access to the mobile tool and that when students want to access information
connects and downloads independently from other learners.
v.
Interactive:
M learning environments which utilizes the latest technologies to bring an
interactive learning environment into learning and teaching activities.
Students are not passive, the functions of mobile tools and environments allow
varying levels of interactivity.
vi.
Collaborative:
Mobile technologies support communication between students and teachers. So
mobile technologies may use for collaborative learning activities in
classrooms.
vii.
Instant Information:
Instant information means using a mobile tool is all about immediately.
According to Cohen, the need is for quick answers to specific questions.
Learning content must reflect this requirement by providing material that enables
a learner to quickly zone into information. Examples of instant information are
definitions, formula and equations.
Mobile
Assisted Language Learning (MALL)
Mobile assisted language learning is
any type of language learning that takes place with the help of portable
devices. Mobile devices are effective tools for language learning and have
positive effect on the development of language skills, heighten learners’
language learning attitudes and motivation and support learner interaction , collaboration
and the co- construction of knowledge.
Research on MALL has mainly focused
on teacher-led mobile learning and students’ own use of mobile apps and the
role of mobile apps in their learning have been taken for granted in the
literature. Language learners use these apps quite frequently due to their ‘availability, convenience and low cost’.
Salient
Features of Mobile Assisted Language Learning
Useful for language
learning, most mobile phones are equipped with functionalities including SMS,
MMS, Face book, Twitter, internet access, mp3/mp4 player, video recorder,
digital camera and many can run multimedia contents including audio and video.
Internet
Facility
Students can use their cell phones
to surf online. By browsing on internet, they can check e-mails, read online
textbooks and watch lectures at any time. Websites like Wikipedia, shmoop
provide critical analysis and summary of all works of art in English.
Downloading
Now there are many free online
materials which enable students to download various kinds of them to their cell
phone easily. With the availability of downloading, students do no not need to
carry heavy books and they could read the required e-books in any time and in
any place. Kindle app provides all the books for reading.
Short
Message Service
SMS is a service that allows people
to interchange text messages between cell phones. SMS systems can be used to
help students learn foreign languages and teachers can use SMS to communicate
with one student or even one group of students. Cell phones could be used to
help students with vocabulary and grammar through SMS text exchanges with the
teacher, peer or foreign language students.
SMS has three advantages;
1. Users
express themselves concisely
2. It
does not cost much because texts need little memory
3. SMS
system doesn’t require technological trainings.
Audio
Recording Apps
Through audio recording apps, learners
can be guided to record their communication and after listening to their
records, they can be asked to improve their weak areas. Students can record
interviews or conversations outside the classroom and later on they can play
them in class for feedback and discussion.
Apps
for English Speaking Learning
There are so many mobile apps which
are aimed to develop English pronunciation. These apps help the learners to
practice and improve certain aspects of English pronunciation such as
individual phonemes and stress, intonation.
Whatsapp
Whatsapp is a mobile messaging app
which allows you to exchange messages. Users can create groups. Whatsapp can be
used;
1. To
send students a short news article or podcast and ask them to send an audio
response summarizing it in their own words or giving their opinion.
2. To
send photos with captions to illustrate different tenses.
3. To
create a video or audio by students themselves making a short lesson/
presentation or reviewing a book.
Face
book
Closed face book groups can be a
great way of communicating with students. Students can share ideas, opinions
and homework projects. Face book groups can;
1. Post
quizzes and grammar tips
2. Get
students to share book reviews
3. Brainstorm
ideas about different topics
4. Have
a different theme each week and get students to share ideas, pictures and
quotations connected to the theme.
Useful
Apps to Learn English
1. English
Speaking Practice
2. Basic
English for Beginners
3. English
Grammar Book
4. Learn
to Speak English
5. Learn
English for Kids and Children
6. English
Listening Player
7. Learn
English Vocabulary
8. English
Conversation Practice
9. English
Listening
Conclusion
Mobile devices help students study
easily and independently. They enable them to incorporate self-study into their
busy lives, accelerating their progress and guaranteeing better results. These
learning devices make the teaching and learning process effective and useful.
Bibliography
Roy,
R.K. (2013). English language teaching. Delhi: APH Publishing House.
Thangasamy,
K.(2016). Pedagogy of English. Chennai: Vinoth Publications.
Hariry,
N,A. (2016). Mobile phones as useful language learning tools. Retrieved
from:
Guo,
H.(2017). Analyzing and evaluating current mobile applications for learning
English.
Cavus,
N. (2011). Basic elements and characteristics of mobile learning.
Retrieved from:
www.sciencedirect.com.
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