mobile apps for teaching & learning · mobile apps for teaching & learning supyan hussin...

Mobile Apps for Teaching & Learning

Supyan Hussin Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia

Seminar Interactive Mobile for Learning and Profit

CIAST Shah Alam 19 Sept 2013

Current Scenario

© Dr. Supyan Hussin/2013

Increasing in smartphones and tab sales

Smartphone shipments worldwide • 2011: 485 million • 2012: 680 million • 2013: 823 million • 2017: expected 1296 million

Tablet sales worldwide • 2012: 136 million • 2013: 208 million • 2017: expected 398 million

Source: http://www.portioresearch.com/en/reports/current-portfolio/smartphone-futures-2012-2016.aspx


Mobile Apps

Games Communication

Learning apps © Dr. Supyan Hussin/2013

Applications

Entertainment

Security

Utilities

Mobile Apps


Trends: Mobile Apps Download

• Increase in mobile gadgets: smartphone, tabs

• Increase in mobile users, mobile apps

What is driving this rapid growth in downloads?


Asia Pacific

Trends: Mobile apps users


10 Source : Nielsen 2012

Mobile Gadgets Ownership in SE Asia


phone

11 Source : Nielsen 2012

Future purchasing of Mobile Gadgets in SE Asia

Tab


Web evolution and education


Mobile Learning

Trends in integration of technology in T & L

1960 1970 1980 1990 2000 2010

Correspondence:

Paper-based

Radio

Broadcasting

Off-campus

Paper-based

e-Learning II

Network-based

wireless

2020

broadband

Telephone

conferencing

Video

conferencing

Online materials,

Discussion; CMC

e-Learning I

Electronic based

Satellite

mobile


e-Learning III

Mobile based

ubiquitous

MAL vs MALL

• Mobile-assisted learning – Any subject, any discipline

– Use of mobile gadgets (PDA, tabs, e-book, smartphone)

• Mobile-assisted language learning – Specific language learning applications

– Use of mobile gadgets (PDA, tabs, e-book, smartphone)


CALL vs MALL

• CALL: computer-assisted language learning – Specific for “language

learning “

• Criteria of CALL: – Customized lessons

– Individualized instruction (structured/unstructured learning materials)

– Bi-directional learning (interactive, feedback)

• MALL: mobile-assisted language learning

– Specific for “language learning “

• Criteria of MALL:

– Customized Lessons

– Individualized instruction (structured/unstructured learning materials)

– Bi-directional learning (interactive, feedback)


Learning

• Distance learning, computer-based learning, computer-assisted language learning, e-learning, mobile learning

• Technology is a tool, an enabler. • Learning is a process of

acquiring knowledge and skills from one stage to another with an increase in understanding and ability. Learning is measured.


Learning

No learning

Basic concepts, keywords


Mobility in learning or Mobile Learning

• Mobility = nomad learning

• Dependent mobility in accessing web materials

• Independent mobility using mobile apps

Web apps vs Mobile apps

Web program accessed via mobile gadgets (PDA, Mobile phone)

• Dependent applications/ contents

• Not downloadable

• Access the program from the websites

• Rely on internet line, wi-fi

Mobile apps accessed via mobile smartphones/tablet PCs

• Independent applications

• Downloadable. Download apps and install the apps into the smartphone

• Immediate access and use

• Direct internet access


Review of Mobile apps for MALL


MALL apps

• All languages, but for this paper, the focus is on English language learning apps/materials

• Independent MALL applications, not web-based

• Downloadable, installable

• Paid, FOC, sample FOC + paid apps

• Gadgets: Smartsphone, Tab

• OS: IPhone, Android environment


“Good” MALL apps

• A good MALL apps should reflect 4 stages of instruction/pedagogical procedures – Introduction of key concepts, skills, terms

– Guide to enhance understanding of key concepts, skills, terms (demonstration, illustrations, examples)

– Provide exercises (drill-practice, simulation, game) to master the key concepts, skills, terms (exploratory)

– Asses the progress or achievement (test)

• Meet the requirement of 10 major criteria; based on principles that are derived from Behaviorist theory, Cognitive theory and Constructivist Theory


Major Criteria in the Review Checklist

Criteria 1. System *

2. Language skills **

3. Program use(s) ***

4. Curriculum **

5. Language & culture *

6. Surface features **

7. Invisible functions ***

8. Interaction ***

9. Social characteristics **

10. Others *

• Total scores

• Recommendation

MALL Mobile-Assisted Language Learning (MALL) Courseware Quality Review Checklist by Supyan Hussin, UKM © 2013

• * Asterisk indicate the degree of importance

• Each criteria has a list of elements to be reviewed.

• Likert Scale 0-4 + comments

• Total up the score for each item in each section


The checklist is based learning

theories

Behaviorism – learning involves repetitious drills, habit

formation

Cognitivism – learning involves manipulation of thinking

Constructivism – learning involves re-conceptualizing

and reconstructing of meaningful knowledge based on

several inputs that are derived from various resources

Cognitive constructivism - Cognitive abilities,

potentials

Social constructivism - Interactions: teacher-

students, student-student, student-computerized

learning materials, students-outsiders


Behaviorist Approach

Characteristics

• stimulus-response

• repetitious

• accuracy

• reinforcement

• observable

• surface structure

• contrastive

• performance

• scientific method

• surface structure

• description of “what”


Adapted from Dr. Supyan Hussin 2013

Cognitive Approach Characteristics

• potential of mind

• acquisition

• learning

• analysis and insight

• rationalism

• intuition

• error analysis

• competence

• deep structure

• explanation of “why”

• self-paced learning

• self-directed learning

• autonomous learning

• discovery learning

• problem-based learning


Constructivist Approach

Characteristics • acquisition • learning • search, gather • synthesis • reconstruction • interaction • cooperative • collaborative • networking • integrated • self-paced learning • self-directed learning • autonomous learning • experiential learning • problem-based learning


INTRO : TUTORIALS

Introductory Section

Present Info

Closing

The general structure and flow of a tutorial


Learning

No learning

For mobile Apps

GUIDE: SIMPLE PRACTICE/DEMO


Present Info

Question and Response

Judge Response

Feedback or Remediation

Closing

The general structure and flow of a GUIDE


For mobile Apps

Learning takes place in this activity

EXCERCISES: DRILLS-PRACTICE


Select Item Question

and Response

Judge Response

Feedback or Remediation

Closing

The general structure and flow of a DRILL


For mobile Apps


EXCERCISES: INSTRUCTIONAL GAMES


Present Scenario

Action Required

Students Acts System Updates

Closing

The general structure and flow of GAME

Students Acts


Individual pair or group

For mobile Apps


EXCERCISES: SIMULATIONS


Menu Selection

Action Required

Student Acts

System Update

Closing

The general structure and flow of SIMULATION


For mobile Apps


ASSESSMENT: TESTS


Select Item

Question

Judge Response

Progress Report

Closing

The general structure and flow of a TEST


For mobile Apps


Reviewed MALL apps


This MALL application is good for general English practice with 112 "very good" scores; it has tutorial section, drill-practice section with 18 grammar packages in which there are 15 questions in each package, and records of performance. Assessed: 9 June 201

Menu

1*


It has • Key concepts • Lessons • Exercises • Assessment

Feedback performance

Progress report

Strengths: • Tutorial/Lessons • Substantial exercises • Tracking – progress report

Weaknesses: Screen - too spacious; can’t skip questions


This MALL application is good for general English practice with 136 "very good" scores; it has NO tutorial section; but it offers 16 tests on grammar, with 10 questions in each test. It also provides progress reports. Assessed: 9 June 2013

Feedback performance

Menu

2 Question

Tracking


It has • Exercises • Assessment

3

This MALL application is considered poor as the content is not focused to specific grammar items. Its score is only 68 for "very good" category. It provides a progress report. However, poor spelling and formatting. Assessed: 9 June 2013 5 Questions for each package

Report


Spelling “Spaces”

It has • Exercises • Assessment

4*

This MALL application is considered average for general English practice with 68 "very good" and 60 "good" scores; it has no tutorial section; but it offers 16 tests on grammar, with 10 questions in each test. It also provides progress reports. It offers to retest and correct mistakes. Assessed:10 June 2013

Retest

Progress report

Menu

Test



5

Levels

enrichment

Question

English Gammar



Feedback

confirmation

Performance record

This MALL application is considered average for general English practice with 100 "very good" and 54 "good" scores; it has no tutorial section; but it offers 3 levels of language competency with tests that have 10 questions in each level. It also provides extra package for enrichment language activity using pronunciation/listening facilities. It offers progress reports of the performance. It offers to retest and correct mistakes. Assessed:10 June 2013


6*

Practice English Grammar 1

Menu

Choose the number of questions

Input the answer by typing; no MCQ © Dr. Supyan Hussin/2013


This MALL application is considered above average for general English practice with 119 "very good" and 74 "good" scores; it offers 17 tutorial materials, 12 language exercises, and 33 testing materials. It also provides progress reports of the performance. Assessed:10 June 2013

Feedback and progress report



English Leap

Menu

Sub-menu


MCQ Feedback in color

This MALL application is considered above average for general English practice with 128 "very good" and 74 "good" scores; it offers 17 tutorial materials, 17 language exercise sets, with 5 questions in each set, and 2 sets of testing materials, containing 5 questions in each set It also provides progress reports of the performance. Assessed:10 June 2013



7

Simple Front page

Menu page

Sufficient reference/note page and information



This MALL application is considered above average for general English practice with 88 "very good" and 72 "good" scores; it offers 39 reference chapters, 28 language exercise sets, and 28 sets of testing materials, containing 35 questions in each set It does not provide progress reports of the performance. Assessed:10 June 2013

Test summary but no progress report

Latest performance indicator

Simple use of graphic


Good or Bad MALL Apps?

• MALL Apps

– should cater for learning; enhance learning process

– provides individualized instruction (structured/ unstructured lessons)

– offers bi-directional learning or interactive features: feedback and progress report


Top 10 Language Learning apps (FOC + Paid)

Source: http://www.appappeal.com/apps/language-learning


Top places Web and MALL apps

North America: Livemocha, Babbel, Busuu, and Mango Languages

Europe Babbel, Busuu, and Livemocha.

South East Asia Busuu and Livemocha.

South America (Brazil)

Busuu and Livemocha.

Eurasia (Russia )

Busuu and Livemocha.

Top 10 Language Learning apps

based on worldwide popularity


Top 10 Language Learning apps

based on worldwide popularity

Not rated according the Review Checklist*

Conclusion

• The number MALL applications in the Play Store is increasing; therefore, there are more choices. Not only grammar apps but other aspects of language skills

• Review Checklist is only a guide.

• Review Checklist will help English language teachers and developers of MALL applications to improvise their products and create better applications for learning

• Review Checklist will help English language teachers to decide which MALL apps are good for their students


References

• New Media trends watch: http://www.newmediatrendwatch.com/markets-by-country/17-usa/855-mobile-devices

• Tablet ownership: http://tabtimes.com/news/ittech-stats-research/2012/03/15/nielsen-us-tablet-owners-purchase-far-more-media-europeans-one

• Global mobile statistics. http://mobithinking.com/mobile-marketing-tools/latest-mobile-stats

Email: [email protected] Blog: supyanhussin.wordpress.com

mobile apps for teaching & learning · mobile apps for teaching & learning supyan hussin...

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