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My favourite ESL mobile apps

Agnieszka (Aga) Palalas, Ed.D.

May 6, 2013

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Audience poll

Introduction to Mobile-Assisted Language Learning

(MALL)

Who, where, and why of MALL apps

What and how of MALL apps

Built-in tools and apps

Examples of my favourite apps

Q&A

Overview

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What smartphone are you currently using?

A. iPhone B. AndroidC. BlackberryD. OtherE. I don’t have one

Audience poll 1/3

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Have you used smartphones in your teaching?

Yes/No

Audience poll2/3

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Augment (in the MALL context)

A. ComplicateB. Enhance, extendC. Enlarge

◦ Could be done with Polleverywhere or Socrative

Audience poll3/3

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• Knowledge construction, skill development and performance support

• Learners participate across locations, times and contexts (inside and outside the classroom)

• Enabled by portable devices and web connectivity• flexible on-demand access to learning materials, experts, peers and

other resources• tools to create content and interact with peers, experts, learning

systems and supports, and the environment in which the learning is occurring

• M-learning devices: handheld, highly portable, connected, always-on, personal

…contingent on needs and context

Mobile learning defined

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Augment in-class/out-of-class instruction and practice

Communication support, immediacy of communication (incl.

speech and data-sharing)

Portable and flexible (whenever, wherever), fitting into learners’

lives (productive ‘dead’ time)

Access to language resources, supports, scaffolding Access to mentors, tutors and others learners on-the-move Bite-sized e-learning resources delivered to learners; spaced

learning Situated language practice (embedded in real language situations)

Select benefits of MALL

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Augment in-class/out-of-class instruction and practice

Enhanced motivation by context-inspired authentic content and

challenge Creativity, fun, engagement (tools for student-generated materials)

Rehearsal and practice in a less threatening environment Student-centred and personalized learning Capturing of data, record of learning processes Assessment tools, peer and expert evaluation and feedback

exchange Flexible collaboration

Select benefits of MALL

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Teachers and learners, other speakers of English

Individual and collaborative

In-class and out-of-class

Using innovative tools

Who, where, and why

If we teach today’s students as we taught yesterday’s, we rob them of tomorrow.John Dewey

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Built-in tools◦ e-mail◦ web browser◦ audio and video player◦ voice recorder◦ camera – photo and video recording◦ notes◦ SMS/texting◦ GPS

What and how

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Audio and video player (“iPod”)◦ podcasts◦ audiobooks◦ YouTube videos

Voice recorder (Voice Memos, Record)◦ record and share speech sample◦ Record parts of the class – replay, rehearse ◦ create mini-stories◦ record speech for feedback

Camera – photo and video recording◦ capture communicative situations◦ record speech sample for evaluation◦ be creative, e.g., role-play, stand-up comedy

Built-in tools/apps

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Mobile apps (web-based and native)◦ Feedback, polling, student response system

Polleverywhere, Socrative

◦ Vocabulary acquisition Dictionary.com, WWAudioUS, Flashcard Machine,

Flashcards

◦ Speaking and Listening (phloging, pronunciation) Audioboo, iPadio, Free Audiobooks, Sounds

◦ Integrated Story creators, Evernote

What and how – Mobile apps

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Creating quizzes for instant formative or summative assessment, ice-breakers

Engage your classrooms with educational exercises and games: Multiple choice, T/F and Short answer questions

Quick Quizzes, Exit Tickets and other games

Mobile (Apple, Android) and Web Wireless connection needed Free

Socrative

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Creating quizzes for instant formative or summative assessment, ice-breakers

Engage your classrooms with educational exercises and games: Multiple choice, T/F and Short answer questions

Get instant feedback– online charts

Answer by text, app, web, direct link Mobile (Apple, Android) and Web Free (up to 40 consecutive users)

Polleverywhere

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Dictionary.com

• Dictionary, thesaurus, searchable, audio

• No Internet connection needed when searching words• Mobile (Apple, Android) and Web• Free (premium version available)

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Dictionary, thesaurus, searchable, audio Customizable

Apple, Android, Web Works offline Almost free ;) – $3.99

WordWeb Audio Dictionary

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Flashcards

• Study, learn and master words on your

phone (audio pronunciation, definition matching )

• Create and co-create word lists (decks)

• Use existing decks

• Share content

• Get your progress stats

• Works offline

• Apple, Android, Web

• Free

• Caveat: not being able to write your own definition on the

phone, but only online

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Flashcard Machine

• Similar to Flashcards

• Caveat: Free version has 100 flips only

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Record and share audio recordings Collaborate and peer evaluate; e.g., class radio,

dictionary, story, play (listen and continue the story) Improve fluency

iPhone, Android, Nokia and Web Blackberry and Windows coming soon

Works offline Free

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Sounds: The pronunciation app

Practice pronunciation on the go Interactive phonemic chart Apple, Android, Web Works offline Free (premium version offers quizzes and analytics)

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Adapt this note-taking platform Integrative practice Collaboration and sharing, e.g., class book, dictionary Take notes, capture photos, create to-do lists, record voice All notes searchable, whether you are at home, at work, or

on the go Synchronize across devices

• Works offline

• All mobile platforms and Web

• Free Dependable!

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Create/co-create an electronic storybook Create the text, add photos or drawings and then add

sounds or music Peer evaluate Share your stories with a class or keep them private

Apple, Android, Web Works offline Free

Story Creator

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Replay/re-listen

Record

Rehearse

Repeat

Redo

Remember

Reflect

Re-

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Communicate

Collaborate

Connect

Co-create

Construct

Contextualize

Co-

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Thank you

Dr. Agnieszka Palalas

Twitter: @agaiza

LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/apalalas

Presentations: http://www.slideshare.net/agaiza

Publications: http://athabascau.academia.edu/apalalas