Use of Mobile Learning to Train English as a Second Language (ESL) Adults

Athabasca University in mobile learning: seven years of mobile learning projects and researchSteve Schafer, Director, Library ServicesTony Tin, Head, Electronic Resources & Digital InitiativesAbout Athabasca UniversityCanadas Open University - distance learning and online learningLocation: Athabasca, Alberta, CanadaLearning centres in Edmonton and CalgaryMore than 38,000 students with 830 coursesIndividualized and self-paced studies

Why Advocate Mobile Technology in AU?Accessibility of audienceInstant delivery and updatesAffordablility/portablilityNovelty of gadget/displaySupports those with special needs

5AU students study from a distance. Students have even more options for fitting learning into their busy lives. It allows individualization & self-pace learning

Quick and efficient access to electronic resources and library services is essential

Mobile Library ProjectProvide learners with access to the library services and learning resources using mobile devices.Recipient of 2006 CLA Library Research and Development Grant award.

http://library.athabascau.ca

AU students study from a distance Quick and efficient access to electronic resources and library services is essentialStudents have even more options for fitting learning into their busy lives. It allows individualization & self-pace

6Special FeaturesMobile friendly: Supported device: PDA, Palmtop, Blackberry, IPAQ, Smart phones, IphonesThe site includes mobile friendly:Digital Reading RoomDigital Reference CentreDigital Thesis & Project RoomLibrary catalogueSearch engineModel adopted by UK Open University

7

Desktop Version

Mobile Friendly VersionM-library Design/Technology

10Mobile Workplace English ProjectBuilt on the success of the previous mobile ESL project (2007) Improve workplace communicationProvide practical and useful vocabularyIntroduce relevant situationsOptimized for iPhone use

http://eslau.cahttp://wpeau.ca2008 CNIE Conference Excellence and Innovation in Use of Learning Technology11Mobile Learning Lessons in Different Sectors

Workplace specific grammar

Mobile ESLMobile WorkPlace English13Interactive ExercisesM/C, True/False, Matching, Word Order

14Multimedia Features -audio

Vocabulary listsDialoguesAudio questions15Multimedia Features -video

16Mobile FrenchFrench Language Content developed for beginners.designed especially for the iPhone http://www.fslau.ca/

FeaturesGrammar and audio exercises to improve comprehension in beginners

Listening and sentence structure exercises were designed to improve comprehension in beginners

18Canfilm AppPromote App-based learning of Canadian films.

http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/canfilm/id457316427?mt=8

including producer, directors, policy makers who have shaped the Canadian film environment. 19Contents

.

DemoContents: 3 sample units, videos, journals, digital readings, and links to relevant resources

20Explore the use of mobile technology as a tool for delivering health and wellness information.

reminding and teaching of simple exercises that can be done at the workplace.

This application will operate under the iOS platform and run on the iPhone/iPad device.

2012 Athabasca University Wellness Award.

http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/wellnessatwork/id554485674?mt=8

Mobile Wellness AppReminder Tool: Using the reminder tool, user can set reminders for him/her to practice. (e.g. every hour, or every day at 10 a.m. , 12:00 p.m. and 3 p.m.)This reminder tool will be integrated into the calendar function in the iOS. Audio: At the beginning and end of each session, a reminder chime will sound.The audio sound of the application can be switch on and off by the user.

Lesson Videos: There will be five short exercise set lessons available in the application. User can select and play any one of the five lessons.

Calendar Function:Users will be able to track their cumulative exercise time with the calendar

Demo

Canadian Seniors and E-ReadersCanadian seniors (aged 55+) were provided with an Amazon Kindle for 4-weeks, a book of THEIR choice, a newspaper subscription, and a training session.

Ongoing technical support was provided for the length of this project (by e-mail, phone or in person)

56 responses in total for the final questionnaire session (so far)

55/56 had never read an e-book before

Contents: 3 sample units, videos, journals, digital readings, and links to relevant resources

25Testing Group68% had never used a mobile device in the past (including: smart phone, iPad, iPhone, iPod, Blackberry)61% usually access their internet at home16% access at both home and work,9% do not access the internet

Increase Access?

73% either Agree or Strongly Agree that E-readers will increase access to reading materials.Sample commentsIdeal for someone with restricted mobility/ access to other resources With living in a small town, it's difficult to get to a book store on a regular basis, and when ordering online, it takes time before you receive the book. However, with an e-reader you have immediate access to books or other reading materials.Great for anyone who needs to have a number of books readily accessible, e.g. Students. The social network functions may be interesting, e.g. comparing comments on books read, etc.

General CommentsPositivesIncreased font size, very usefulSmall, light, portableAuto-bookmarking (my bookmarks always fall out of my paperbacks)Good for travelI like not getting ink from newspapers on my fingersEasy on my eyesLoved the Search function

ConcernsScreen did not light upPage numbers? I dont like seeing a percentage, I want to know the number of pages in my book!I missed holding a bookI wanted to flip pagesColour pictures?black on black buttons, I couldnt see what to pushI was scared to use it, I didnt want to break it!

ChallengesDefining contentDefine the amount and type of informationDesign of the format Normal website vs. mobile versiontext, images, graphics, tables, locationdifferent file types (pdf, flv)Display modelsdifferent display model and stylesheetDifferent standards, data networks, and operating systems Language compatibilityBandwidth

29Final RemarksIts not about devices, but capabilities

Its not about technology, but experience

30Its not about knowledge, but Imagination

All successful people men and women are big dreamers. They imagine what their future could be, ideal in every respect, and then they work every day toward their distant vision, that goal or purpose Brian Tracy

Further InformationWebsite: Mobile Library:http://library.athabascau.ca/Mobile learning contenthttp://eslau.cahttp://wpeau.cahttp://fslau.caPublications:Ally, M. (2009). Mobile Learning: Transforming the Delivery of Education and Training.

32Chart11016137361

Age 55-80+Participants age range 55-80+

Sheet1Age 55-80+55-601061-651666-701371-75776-80380+6No answer1

Chart115260438

Used a Mobile Device in the PastUsed a Mobile Device in the Past?

Sheet1Used a Mobile Device in the PastMultiple Mobile devices1Blackberry5iPod2iPad6Smart phone0iPhone4Never used38

Chart134215194

Where do you Access the Internet?

Sheet1Where do you Access the Internet?Home34Library2Other1Do not access5Work1Home and Work9Home and Library4

Chart1113011301

The Use of this Technology Increases Access to Reading Materials

Sheet1The Use of this Technology Increases Access to Reading MaterialsStrongly Agree11Agree30Neutral11Disagree3Strongly Disagree0No Answer1To update the chart, enter data into this table. The data is automatically saved in the chart.