Category: Mobile-Assisted Language Learning

Bridging Language Gaps: Empowering Newcomers to Canada through Mobile Microlearning

Jodrey, H. (2024). Bridging Language Gaps: Empowering Newcomers to Canada through Mobile Microlearning. ETAD (Educational Technology & Design) Summer Institute Proceedings 2024, Saskatoon, Canada.

This article examines and proposes the development of a mobile microlearning platform for LINC clients to support the development of language skills and integration into the community.

The article addresses the following questions (pp.3-4):

How can a mobile microlearning platform effectively address the needs and challenges  faced by LINC clients on waitlists, particularly in terms of accessibility, flexibility, and engagement? 

What design principles are essential for creating a user-centered, accessible online  microlearning platform informed by relevant learning theories? 

In what ways can AI-enhanced technologies, such as multimodal chatbots capable of  processing both speech and text input, be integrated into the platform to enhance  personalized and meaningful language learning and provide real-time feedback? 

How can the integration of digital literacy training within the platform ensure that LINC  learners are equipped with the necessary skills to fully engage with online learning and  succeed in a digital society? 

The author outlines the barriers that newcomers may face in accessing LINC programming, including significant waiting lists, delays in assessment, and difficulties in attending scheduled LINC classes due to work and family commitments.

 In response to these challenges the author describes how a mobile microlearning platform has the potential to support learners as they begin their language learning journey. Such a platform could be particularly helpful to learners in that it allows for microlearning, focussing on one concept at a time and therefore reducing cognitive load.  Accessing the platform on a smartphone could enable learners to engage in learning wherever and whenever they can. The integration of AI enhanced technologies such as multimodal chatbots in the platform could support learners in providing personalized learning and allowing learners to develop conversational skills. The use of multimodal chatbots could also help to reduce the anxiety which many language learners experience when practicing their language skills in front of others.

Although the development of such a mobile microlearning platform holds much promise the author emphasizes that such a platform should be seen as a complement and not as a replacement for formal language education. The author argues that further research is needed, focussing on the effectiveness and appropriateness of microlearning and AI chatbots in language education, the ethical considerations relating to the use of AI, and the scalability and adaptability of such a platform.

Retrievable from: https://harvest.usask.ca/items/2b3af241-6485-4884-824e-019be0f02397/full

Hey Siri: Should #language, �, and follow me be taught?: A historical review of evolving communication conventions across digital media environments and uncomfortable questions for language teachers

Lotherington, H.& Bradley, N. (2024). Hey Siri: Should #language, �, and follow me be taught?:A historical review of evolving communication conventions across digital media environments and
uncomfortable questions for language teachers. Language Learning and Technology, 28 (1) 1-19

This article describes a research project prompted by

” … the perceived deepening gap between the content of and approaches to language instruction evident in popular MALL apps and the sophisticated evolutions in language in form and use during the past three decades.” p. 2.

The authors conducted a wide-ranging environmental scan of academic journals that publish articles on digitally mediated language and language teaching and learning applications. They followed this scan with an in-depth focused literature review documenting advances in technology and changes in social communication since the inception of the world wide web.

Following on this research and review of the literature the researchers contend that, the… “how, when, where, why, with whom, and how often people communicate has transformed and been transformed across historical waves of sociotechnical advancement.” p.1.

They add a fourth historical phase of linguistic theorizing to the three phases  as described by Xia :  Traditional prescriptivist grammar;  Structuralism; Functionalism. This fourth historical phase they describe as Digital convergence and posthumanism.

Digital convergence is the idea that all analogue media types have coalesced in a single digital medium and posthumanism is a theory which posits a world in which we are, often unknowingly, interacting with voice activated software. For example, many of us use devices such as Alexa and Google Nest in our homes and sport networked wearable devices such as fitness trackers and smartwatches.

Note:  (For an accessible outline of posthumanism see: What is Posthumanism?.

In this context the authors contend that language theories and practices need to be updated to address the needs of language learners in an era of digital communication. They argue that a traditional focus on language teaching methods intended for print resources and linear communicative practices are not sufficient to support language learners to participate fully and to live and work in societies where many forms of digital communication are essential. Finally, they pose the question, ” How will language teaching thread digital communication norms into English language learning so learners can survive the real tests of digital integration?” (p.12.)

Retrievable: https://scholarspace.manoa.hawaii.edu/server/api/core/bitstreams/2426d4f6-edd4-4f86-bbd5-b20c03e8384e/content

Affective Support for Self-Regulation in Mobile-Assisted Language Learning

Viberg, Olga, Agnes Kukulska-Hulme, and Ward Peeters.(2023) Affective Support for Self-Regulation in Mobile-Assisted Language Learning. International Journal of Mobile and Blended Learning (IJMBL) 15 (2) 1-15.

This article examines the role and importance of affective learning, defined by “learners’ beliefs, attitudes, and emotions”  in a Mobile-Assisted Language Learning (MALL) environment, and how affective learning influences how language learners develop language skills and engage effectively with learning

A review of literature examining language learners’ use of MALL indicates that while the use of apps, digital resources and online communities continues to increase, there is a body of evidence suggesting that while language learners are often adept at using MALL to further their learning, they need ongoing guidance and support to manage their learning and to develop critical self-regulation skills  enabling them to take advantage of the range of learning opportunities offered by MALL.

The authors argue that in the MALL environment affective learning support can be provided to learners in two ways, first in the design of the apps and digital resources and second through the active assistance of the instructor.

In this context they offer the MALLAS framework as a model  for learning designers as they develop support services, such as mobile apps, for language learners  and to assist instructors in supporting learners to develop effective learning strategies in MALL and to develop and extend their self-regulation skills in this environment.

While MALL allows for in-class and out-of-class learning, enabling learners to practice their language skills on their own, or with friends and often without an instructor, the authors emphasize the critical role of the instructor. Instructors can help students to regulate their learning in MALL, by identifying learning strategies and developing activities that motivate learning and persistence, by guiding students in the evaluation their ongoing learning in MALL and  in helping them to connect their in-class and out-of-class learning.

Retrievable from: https://www.igi-global.com/gateway/article/full-text-html/318226&riu=true