How Can Mobile Devices Be Used In ESL Instruction?

Jillian WhetstoneESL 5097-12-13

WHAT ARE MOBILE DEVICES? Small handheld computing devices with

a variety of features and capabilities including internet access, mobile apps, camera, video, Bluetooth, and more.

Type of Device Examples

Smart Phones iPhone, Android, Blackberry, Windows

Tablets iPad, Samsung Galaxy, Kindle Fire, Asus Transformer, Microsoft Surface, Google Nexus

E-Readers Kindle, Nook, Kobo, Sony

HOW CAN MOBILE DEVICES BE USED IN SCHOOL?

Podcasts, Blogs Virtual Learning

Reading, Writing, Speaking, Listening Practice

Games to Reinforce Skills

Individualized Lessons WebQuests

BENEFITS TO USING MOBILE DEVICES IN THE CLASSROOM

Portability and ease of use

Increases student engagement and motivation

Provides a rich and more expansive learning environment

Enhances student learning processes, especially writing

Helps students stay organized

TESTIMONIES TO THE BENEFITS OF MOBILE DEVICESA study showed handheld computers affect student learning positively across curricular topics and instructional activities (Swan, van ‘t Hooft, Kratcoski, and Unger, 2005).

Ipad Use in Chicago Schoolshttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EV8M6P9st9Q&list=PL74D1AC3D981D392A

Ipod Use in Baltimore County Elementaryhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GKvi4ERs4_Y&list=PL74D1AC3D981D392A&index=1

CHALLENGES IN USING MOBILE DEVICES IN THE CLASSROOM

Technical Difficulties

• Programs freezing

• Internet access

• Difficulty recharging

Frustrations

• Small screen size

• Losing work

Access To Devices

• Bring your own device policies

• Not all students have devices

CHALLENGES CONTINUED… Using mobile devices in the classroom takes

planning and work Time needs to be spent determining the most

effect ways to use mobile devices If used incorrectly, mobile devices will act as no

more than a babysitter “Other potential drawbacks include limited

nonverbal communications, limited message lengths, a lack of cultural context, and potential limited social interaction” (Chinnery, 2006).

AWESOME IPHONE/IPAD APPS! Vocabulary: Kids’ Vocab – Mind Snacks Grammar: Grammaropolis US History: Ansel and Clair: Paul

Revere’s Ride Figurative Language: Kidioms Writing/Storytelling: Story Patch

Lets look at each one a little bit closer…

Kids’ Vocab- Mind Snacks This app focuses on vocabulary acquisition Appropriate for upper elementary learners Teaches topic related words and definitions Includes a variety of games for vocab

practice

Grammaropolis This app focuses on parts of speech Each part of speech has character and

town Learners work their way across the

towns through songs, videos, books and quizzes

Ansel and Clair: Paul Revere’s Ride

This is a narrative app of the American Revolution.

Students watch, listen, read, and travel through the events of 1775 America

Appropriate for upper elementary grades

Kidioms This app is appropriate for grades3-5 Focuses on the meaning of idioms Idioms are presented with graphics Students play games to reinforce concepts

Story Patch This app teaches storytelling Photos can be uploaded or there are

over 800 pictures in the library Allows students to create a book

Kids Say Yes to Mobile Devices 2,350 Students were polled in a Student

Mobile Device Survey for Pearson 92% of students feel mobile devices will

change the future of learning 90% say mobile devices make learning more

fun 69% want more mobile devices in school Elementary and middle school students

expressed more interest in mobile devices than high school and college students

In grades 4-12, tablets were used equally across all content areas

CONCLUDING THOUGHTS The benefits of technology and mobile

devices outweigh the challenges ESL students can really benefit from

technology in the classroom because there are so many programs and apps that support all aspects of language development

“Technology in itself won’t make the difference; it’s what students do with it that does” (Swan, van ‘t Hooft, Kratcoski, & Unger, 2005).

ReferencesBooker, E. (2013, May 6). Students want more mobile devices in the classroom. Retrieved from http://www.informationweek.com/education/mobility/students-want-more-mobile-devices-in-cla/240154188

Chinnery, G. M. (2006). Emerging technologies going to the MALL: Mobile assisted language learning. Langauge Learning and Technology, 10(1), 9-16.

Swan, K., van ‘t Hooft, M., Kratcoski, A., & Unger, D. (2005). Uses and effects of mobile computing devices in k-8 classrooms. Journal of Research on Technology in Education, 38(1), 99-112.