How to Select and Implement ESL Mobile Apps?  

Dr. Agnieszka PalalasTESL Ontario 2014

While waiting, please download 2 apps:

1. quizlet 2. QR code reader

(e.g., optiscan)

Should We… ?

• Quizlet

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Mobile-Assisted Language Learning

• Supported by MALL tools >> portable computing capabilities +

multimedia + access to experts, peers, L2 speakers & resources

• Student-centered

• Contextual, situated

• Authentic (real-life or simulated)

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Mobile-Assisted Language Learning

• Collaborative, connected

• Personalized

• Active & meaningful

• Engaging & empowering

• Spaced & chunked up

MALL

Polling

Games

Reading

Audio (in/out)

Video(in/out)

Search

Support/Scaffolds

Location

CollaborationComm.

Images

Assessment

Dictionaries

Writing

MobileApps

Polling

Games

Reading

Audio (in/out)

Video(in/out)

Search

Support/Scaffolds

Location

CollaborationComm.

Images

Assessment

Dictionaries

Writing

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Why outside the Classroom?

• Situated practice, embedded in real-life language situations,

using authentic tasks and challenges (context-dependent)

• Flexible and portable, used at a convenient time and place

(context-independent)

• Personalized: self-paced, using preferred tools, options…

• Spaced (spaced repetition)

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Where Do We Start?

Built-in Tools (Hardware & Software)

Audio and video player • podcasts• audiobooks• YouTube

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Built-in Tools (Multimedia)

Voice recorder• record and share• record > replay > rehearse • create mini-stories• record > feedback Camera – photo and video

• capture communicative situations• record speech sample for evaluation• be creative, e.g., role-play, stand-up

comedy

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Built-in Tools (other)

E-mail

Web browser

Notes

SMS/texting

Speech-to-text

Social Media

GPS

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• Mobile apps (web-based and native)

– Vocabulary acquisition• Dictionary.com, WWAudioUS, Flashcard Machine, Flashcards, Quizlet

– Speaking and Listening (phloging, pronunciation, story recording, feedback)• VoiceThread, SoundCloud, Audioboom, iPadio, Free Audiobooks, Minimal-Pairs

– Feedback, polling, student response system• Polleverywhere, Socrative

– Integrated• Story creators, Evernote, Socrative , QR Treasure Hunt Generator

Mobile Apps

Apps for Adults and Kids…countless but…

• http://mobile-educationstore.com/category/apps

• http://www.hello-hello.com/index_home

• https://www.duolingo.com/

• http://www.busuu.com/enc/mobile

• http://learnenglish.britishcouncil.org/en/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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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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• 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, Windows, and• Blackberry

• Works offline• Free

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Minimal-Pairs• Practice pronunciation on the go• Interactive phonemic chart

• audio and images

• Practice• Quizzes• Stats

• Apple, Android (native)• Works offline• Free

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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

Click here

http://www.classtools.net/QR/teacher.php?fold=7&fname=8M2C6

Click here

http://goo.gl/AsD4qX

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Assessing Apps

• Quality and learning value

• General usability

• Affordability

• No common standards

• Reviewers unable to keep up

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Educational App Assessment Criteria

• Educational value and curriculum connection

• Engagement and interactivity

• Authenticity

• Feedback provision

• User-friendliness and personalization

• Progress monitoring tools

• Security and privacy issues

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Other Issue to Consider

• Purchasing vs. developing Apps

• Native vs. web apps

• Coding vs. app tools (PhoneGap)

• HTML5

…contingent on needs and context

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Re-• Replay/re-listen

• Record

• Rehearse

• Repeat

• Redo

• Remember

• Reflect

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Co-• Communicate

• Collaborate

• Connect

• Create & co-create

• Construct

• Contextualize

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Mobile App Resources • Chiong, C., & Shuler, C. (2010). Learning: Is there an app for that? Investigations of

young children’s usage and learning with mobile devices and apps. In New York: The Joan Ganz Cooney Center at Sesame Workshop. http://pbskids. org/read/files/cooney_learning_apps. pdf

• Douglas, K. H., Wojcik, B. W., & Thompson, J. R. (2012). Is There an App for that?. Journal of Special Education Technology, 27(2), 59-70.

• Website to assist educators looking for mobile apps - http://classroom-aid.com/technology-resources/educational-apps/

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Thank you!

Dr. Agnieszka Palalas

agapalalas@athabascau.ca

LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/apalalasPresentations: http://www.slideshare.net/agaizaPublications: http://athabascau.academia.edu/apalalas