Hostname: page-component-cd9895bd7-dzt6s Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-12-25T17:40:57.317Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Mobile blogs in language learning: making the most of informal and situated learning opportunities

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 January 2009

Anna Comas-Quinn ,
Raquel Mardomingo  and
Chris Valentine
Anna Comas-Quinn
Affiliation:
Department of Languages, Faculty of Education and Languages, The Open University, Milton Keynes, MK7 6AA, UK. (e-mail: [email protected]; [email protected])
Raquel Mardomingo
Affiliation:
Department of Languages, Faculty of Education and Languages, The Open University, Milton Keynes, MK7 6AA, UK. (e-mail: [email protected]; [email protected])
Chris Valentine
Affiliation:
Centre for New Media, Knowledge Media Institute, The Open University, Milton Keynes, MK7 6AA, UK (e-mail: [email protected])
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

The application of mobile technologies to learning has the potential to facilitate the active participation of learners in the creation and delivery of content. Mobile technologies can also provide a powerful connection between a variety of formal and informal learning contexts and can help to build a community of learners. However these versatile tools present challenges to educators and learners alike. The paper discusses the pedagogical challenges that result from the introduction of mobile technologies in language learning in the context of an intensive week of study abroad. We describe and evaluate a pilot project that uses mobile blogging to promote a constructivist, situated and informal learning experience of the foreign language and culture based on theories of active learning. We aim to encourage interaction and a sense of community among learners outside formal educational environments and in different locations as we ask them to engage with the foreign culture by capturing, sharing and reflecting on their experiences for their peers.

Keywords

Mobile learninglanguage learninggroup blogsuser-generated contentinformal learningsituated learning
Type
Original Article
Information
ReCALL , Volume 21 , Issue 1 , January 2009 , pp. 96 - 112
Copyright
Copyright © European Association for Computer Assisted Language Learning 2009

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

Anderson, T.Wark, N. (2004) Why do teachers get to learn the most? A case study of a course based on student creation of learning objects. e-Journal of Instructional Science and Technology, 7(2). http://hdl.handle.net/2149/734Google Scholar
Cobcroft, R. S. (2006) Literature Review into Mobile Learning in the University Context. Queensland University of Technology e-prints, http://eprints.qut.edu.au/archive/0004805/Google Scholar
Conole, G.Dyke, M. (2004) What are the affordances of information and communication technologies? ALT-J, 12(2): 113–124.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Cook, J.Light, A. (2006) New patterns of power and participation? Designing ICT for informal and community learning. E-learning, 3(1): 51–61.Google Scholar
Cross, J. (2006) Informal Learning: Rediscovering the Natural Pathways that Inspire Innovation and Performance. Berlin: Online Educa.Google Scholar
Dewey, J. (1938) Education and Experience. New York: Simon and Schuster.Google Scholar
Evans, D. (2005) Potential uses of wireless and mobile technology. In: Kukulska-Hulme, A., Evans, D. and Traxler, J. (eds.) Landscape Study on the Use of Mobile and Wireless Technologies for Teaching and Learning in the Post-16 Sector. Report commissioned by JISC. http://www.jisc.ac.uk/eli_outcomes.htmlGoogle Scholar
Felix, U. (2005) E-learning pedagogy in the third millennium: the need for combining social and cognitive constructivist approaches. ReCALL, 17(2): 85–100.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Finkbeiner, C. (2000) Handlungsorientierter Unterricht (Holistic and action-oriented learning and teaching). In: Byram, M. (ed.), Routledge Encyclopedia of Language Teaching and Learning. London: Routledge, 255–258.Google Scholar
Glogoff, S. (2005) Instructional Blogging: Promoting Interactivity, Student-Centered Learning, and Peer Input. Innovate, 1(5). http://www.innovateonline.info/index.php?view=article&id=126Google Scholar
Joinson, A. N.Paine, C. (2007) Privacy and new communication technologies in elearning. Innovations in elearning. Milton Keynes: The Open University, http://learn.open.ac.uk/mod/resourcepage/view.php?a=2664Google Scholar
Jonassen, D.Land, S. M. (2000) Theoretical foundations of learning environments. Mahwah, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates.Google Scholar
Jones, A., Issroff, K.Scanlon, E. (2006a) What is mobile learning? In: Sharples, M. (ed.), Big Issues in Mobile Learning. Report of a workshop by the Kaleidoscope Network of Excellence Mobile Learning Initiative. Nottingham: University of Nottingham.Google Scholar
Jones, A., Issroff, K., Scanlon, E., Clough, G.McAndrew, P. (2006b) Using mobile devices for learning in Informal Settings: Is it Motivating? Paper presented at IADIS International conference Mobile Learning. July 14–16, Dublin.Google Scholar
Klopfer, E., Squire, K.Jenkins, H. (2002) Environmental Detectives: PDAs as a window into a virtual simulated world. Proceedings of IEEE International Workshop on Wireless and Mobile Technologies in Education. Vaxjo, Sweden: IEEE Computer Society, 95–98.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
KMI (2002) Xtreme Webcasts, Matterhorn, http://cnm.open.ac.uk/projects/matterhorn/intro.htmGoogle Scholar
Kukulska-Hulme, A. (2005a) Innovative Practice with e-Learning, a JISC online resource. http://www.elearning.ac.uk/innoprac/casestudyintro.htmlGoogle Scholar
Kukulska-Hulme, A. (2005b) “Current uses in wireless and mobile technology” in Kukulska-Hulme, A., Evans, D. and Traxler, J. (2005) “Landscape Study on the Use of Mobile and Wireless Technologies for Teaching and Learning in the Post-16 Sector”, report commissioned by JISC, http://www.jisc.ac.uk/eli_outcomes.html (last accessed 2.07.07).Google Scholar
Kulkulska-Hulme, A.Shield, L. (2006a) Researching new and emerging technologies in language education. Presentation to the Open University INTELLECT research group, 21 February 2006, Milton Keynes.Google Scholar
Kukulska-Hulme, A. (2006b) Learning activities on the move. Handheldlearning 2006, 12-13 October 2006, London. http://www.handheldlearning.co.uk/hl2006/present/AKukulskaHulme.pdfGoogle Scholar
Kukulska-Hulme, A. (2006c) Mobile language learning now and in the future. Från vision till praktik: Språkutbildning och Informationsteknik (From vision to practice: language learning and IT). Sweden: Swedish Net University (Nätuniversitetet), 295–310.Google Scholar
Lipman, M. (2003) Thinking in Education, 2nd ed.Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Livingstone, D. W. (2001) Adults’ Informal Learning: Definitions, findings, Gaps and Future Research. Toronto: NALL Working Paper 21/2001. http://www.oise.utoronto.ca/depts/sese/csew/nall/res/21adultsifnormallearning.htmGoogle Scholar
Mediaboard (2008) http://portal.m-learning.org/mboard.phpGoogle Scholar
Naismith, L., Lonsdale, P., Vavoula, G.Sharples, M. (2004) Literature Review in Mobile Technologies and Learning. Futurelab. http://www.futurelab.org.uk/resources/publications_reports_articles/literature_reviews/Literature_Review203Google Scholar
O’Malley, C., Vavoula, G., Glew, J., Taylor, J., Sharples, M.Lefrere, P. (2003) Guidelines for learning/teaching/tutoring in a mobile environment. Mobilearn project deliverable. http://www.mobilearn.org/download/results/guidelines.pdfGoogle Scholar
Petersen, S. A., Chabert, G.Divitini, M. (2006) Language Learning: Design Considerations for Mobile Community Blogs. IADIS International Conference Mobile Learning 2006, 14–15 July 2006, Dublin. http://www.idi.ntnu.no/grupper/su/publ/petersen/spetersen_mobilelearning2006.pdfGoogle Scholar
Piaget, J. (1970) Science of education and the psychology of the child. New York: Orion Press.Google Scholar
Rüschoff, B. (2002) Construction of knowledge as the basis of foreign language learning. http://www.uni-essen.de/anglistik/bernd/construction.htmGoogle Scholar
Scott, P. (2006) Knowledge Work is Learning: the Future is Ambient, Invisible and Non-formal. Berlin: Online Educa.Google Scholar
Seitzinger, J. (2006) Be constructive: Blogs, Podcasts, and Wikis as Constructivist Learning Tools. The eLearning Guild’s Learning Solutions e-Magazine. www.elearningguild.com/pdf/2/073106DES.pdfGoogle Scholar
Shao, Y., Cook, C.Koleva, B. (2007) Designing a Mobile Group Blog to Support Cultural Learning. Conference proceedings, mLearn Melbourne 2007, 16–19 October, 211–215. http://www.mlearn2007.org/files/mLearn_2007_Conference_Proceedings.pdfGoogle Scholar
Sharples, M., Milrad, M., Arnedillo Sánchez, I.Vavoula, G. (2007) Mobile Learning: Small devices, Big Issues. To be published in: Balacheff, N., Ludvigsen, S., de Jong, T., Lazonder, A., Barnes, S. and Montandon, L. (eds.) Technology Enhanced Learning: Principles and Products.Google Scholar
Sharples, M., Taylor, J.Valvoula, G. (2005) Towards a Theory of Mobile Learning. mLearn 2005. Cape Town, South Africa, http://www.mlearn.org.za/CD/papers/Sharples-%20Theory%20of%20Mobile.pdfGoogle Scholar
Simina, V.Hamel, M-J. (2005) CASLA through a social constructivist perspective: WebQuest in project-driven language learning. ReCALL, 17(2): 217–228.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Traxler, J. (2007) Defining, Discussing and Evaluating Mobile Learning: the moving finger writes and having writ... International Review of Research in Open and Distance Learning, 8(2). http://www.irrodl.org/index.php/irrodl/article/view/346/882CrossRefGoogle Scholar
van Lier, L. (2007) Action-Based Teaching, Autonomy and Identity. Innovation in Language Learning and Teaching, 1(1): 46–65.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Vavoula, G. N.Sharples, M. (2002) KLeOS: a personal, mobile, knowledge and learning organisation system. Proceedings of the IEEE International Workshop on Wireless and Mobile Technologies in Education (WMTE ’02). Vaxjo, Sweden: IEEE Computer Society, 152–156.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Vygotsky, L. S. (1978) Mind in Society: the Development of Higher Psychological Processes. Edited Cambridge Mass, London: Harvard University Press.Google Scholar
White, C. J. (1999) Expectations and emergent beliefs of self-instructed language learners. Metacognitive Knowledge and Beliefs in Language Learning. Systems Special Issue, 27: 443–457.Google Scholar
White, C. J. (2003) Language Learning in Distance Education. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Winters, N. (2006) What is mobile learning? In: Sharples, M. (ed.), Big Issues in Mobile Learning. Report of a workshop by the Kaleidoscope Network of Excellence Mobile Learning Initiative. Nottingham: University of Nottingham.Google Scholar