Exploring the Effectiveness of Mobile Technology in Language Learning Environment for Adult Learners
This document outlines a proposed study that aims to examine the effectiveness of mobile technologies in contextualizing language learning for adult learners. It discusses how mobile devices can support situated learning and how context is important for language acquisition. The study aims to provide insight into learners' and teachers' expectations of a well-situated mobile learning environment. It plans to use a between groups experimental design and two-way ANOVA to analyze differences in TOEFL scores between ESL/EFL students who do or do not use mobile devices, and whether the learning environment interacts with device use. The methodology discusses sampling, instruments, procedures and planned analyses. Limitations regarding sample size, appropriate devices, data collection length and test scores are also noted.
Exploring the Effectiveness of Mobile Technology in Language Learning Environment for Adult Learners
- 1. Exploring the Effectiveness of Mobile Technology in Language Learning Environment for Adult Learners Sirui Wang, Ph.D. student The University of Southern Mississippi July 23, 2012
- 2. Background Mobile Technology and language learning Mobile assistant language learning (MALL) is benefited by mobile technologies, which is one of the mobile learning’s contributions to language education (Dias, 2002). Mobile Technology Mobile technologies are commonly used all around the world because of their portability, ubiquity, ease of accessibility (Keskin & Metcalf, 2011).
- 3. Background (continue…) Language learning and Context o According to Verschueren (2005), “language use is always situated against a complex background” (p.75). o If appropriate language is inputted into a situation, language acquisition can occur (Krashen, 1985). o Social world, mental world, & physical world (Verschueren, 2005, Understanding Pragmatics)
- 4. Purpose of Study provide a general picture of the importance of context in language acquisition, examine and describe the effectiveness of mobile technologies in contextualizing language learning environment, and delve learners and teachers’ expectations of language learning in a well-situated language learning environment.
- 5. Overview of the theoretical foundation Situated Learning Theory a theory that suggests learning is naturally tied to authentic activity, context, and culture (Brown, Collins, & Duguid, 1989) considers learning as a "social process whereby knowledge is co-constructed, and …is situated in a specific context and embedded within a particular social and physical environment" (Lave & Wenger, 1991, p.41)
- 6. Research Questions Is there any effectiveness of mobile devices for ESL students? Is there any effectiveness of mobile devices for EFL students? Will learning environment and mobile devices together have effects in students’ English performance?
- 7. Methodology Participant Convenient sampling (ESL students vs. EFL students) Between groups (mobile technology vs. non-mobile technology) Instrument Two-way factorial ANOVA − Learning environment (IV) − Learning devices (IV) − TOEFL score (DV)
- 8. Methodology (continue…) Procedure Decide the population/sample Define the variables Decide the mobile device Conduct statistical analysis Analysis (not yet)
- 9. Delimitations The size of the population The proper mobile device being the platform The length for collecting adequate data The standard test scores
- 10. Questions?