Use
of Mobile Phone In English Classroom
These days
it seems mobile phones
are used everywhere by
everyone, which leads
to the obvious question: How can mobile phone technology
support learning in the
second language classroom? The answer is “in a number of
ways” because mobile phones
come with ever-increasing functions
that most students are
adept at using.
In this article I describe 20
practical ways to use mobile phones to support second language learning,
both inside and outside
the classroom. Most
of the activities will work with
most mobile phones and do
not require specialknowledge or
additional software or hardware. I will also discuss drawbacks such
as cost, increased workload, and other problems that might impact the use of phones in
the classroom, and will suggest ways of mitigating them
a. Mobile-assisted language learning.
Recent interest
in the potential for mobile phones and other portable
devices to support learning and teaching
has been driven
by the fact
that mobile phones are relatively
cheap and increasingly powerful (Chinnery 2006; Kukulska-Hulme and
Traxler 2005). Another benefit is that learners are used to
working with them, often more
so than with
computers.
b.
Preparation.
Before
asking students to pull out their cell phones in class, you need to have a
plan. As with any other teaching activity, ask yourself what you are trying to
achieve. Are you focusing on speaking,
listening, reading, writing, or some combination of the four
skills? Or do you simply want
students to reflect
on their language use outside the
classroom? Start by identifying a specific
teaching objective and then structure a mobile phone activity
around that. Ask yourself
if there is
an added value to using a phone for the activity you
have in mind. If there is none, perhaps it is better to find an alternative.
c.
Twenty
practical ideas for using mobile phones in the language classroom.
1. Use the Notes feature to collect everyday
language.
2. Use
the Camera feature
to take pictures of text
3.
Use free programs
to organize language samples.
4. Use the Voice Memo Recorder
feature to record language from media outlets.
5. Use the Voice Memo Recorder feature
to record conversations outside the classroom.
6. Use the Text
Messaging feature to reinforce vocabulary learning.
7. Use free programs to make
flashcards for mobile phones.
8.
Use the Text
Messaging feature for circular writing.
9.
Use the Text
Messaging feature for tandem learning.
10. Use the mobile phone to keep a
blog.
11. Use the mobile phone for
microblogging on Twitter
12.
Use the mobile
phone for social networking.
13. Use the mobile phone for a language exchange.
14. Use the mobile phone for “phlogging”.
15.
Use mobile phone
memory to distribute listening material.
16.
Use mobile phone
memory to distribute reading material.
17. Use the mobile phone to play
games.
18. Use the Voice Memo Recorder,
Notes, and Calendar features to keep a portfolio.
19. Use the mobile phone to check student
comprehension and get feedback.
20.
Use mobile phone
memory for research and data
collection.
d.
Potential
problems and solutions when using mobile phones in the classroom.
Following are
some potential problems associated with using mobile
phones in the classroom, along with some possible
solutions and suggestions
1. Lack
of access to mobile phones.
2. Cost
of mobile phones and wireless services.
3. Noise
and disruption in class.
4. Privacy
considerations.
5. Increased
teacher workload.
References
Chen, N. S.,
S. W. Hsieh,
and Kinshuk. 2008. Effects
of short-term memory
and content representation type
on mobile language
learning. Language Learning and Technology 12 (3): 93–113.
Chinnery, G. 2006. Going to the MALL: Mobile language learning. Language Learning and Technology10 (1): 9–16Kukulska-Hulme, A., and J.
Traxler, eds. 2005. Mobile
learning: A handbook
for educators and trainers. London: Routledge.
HayoreinDersis Head of Language and Learning Support
at Middlesex University in London and editor of the journal Innovation in
Language Learning and Teaching. His webpage is www.innovationinteaching.or
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