1. Mobile Learning : Practical Applications for the ESL Classroom

2. Devices for mobile learning

3. Outline Why mobile learning? Attitudes to mobile devices Getting started – observing my students Things I’ve tried with my students Things I’d like to try What mobile learning is (and isn’t) Challenges and advice

4. Why mobile learning? Always on and always with you Increasingly powerful/versatile Comfortable and familiar Cost is coming down People want flexibility in their studies

5. Teachers’ responses to mobile phones “I hate it when students play with them under the desk” “it’s annoying when it starts ringing while we’re in the middle of something important” “students stop communicating with each other when they play with their phones”

6. Getting started.... In class students used them as... Outside the class they used them as.... Dictionaries Dictaphones A source of information A photographic record A translation tool A way to revise words Listening practice Additional exercises

7. Things I’ve tried with my students Example One: phones as dictaphones... For pronunciation in class To record pair/group interviews To record people outside the class

8. Example Two: A Word a day via SMS Voluntary group Every day for several months Academic English

9. Example Three: Photos to a blog Student experiences Students sent pictures and video Basis for discussion

10. Example Four: Online dictionary

11. Example five: Example five: Online word lists/flashcards

12. Things I’d like to try..... Scavenger/treasure hunts Google maps for mobile Student-centred blogs Creating my own app

13. What is mobile learning? “Learners should be able to engage in educational activities without the constraints of having to do so in a tightly delimited physical location.” (Kukulska-Hume, 2005) It is.... An extension/complement to their classroom learning Something that encourages learning outside the class A way for students to create content A way for students to share. It isn’t..........students having lessons via their phones/mobile devices

14. Challenges Comfort of teachers and schools Training for teachers and students Diversity of devices Financial issues Privacy issues

15. Ideas and advice for teachers Talk to students about mobile devices Explore your own mobile device(s) Don’t make it a chore Make students part of the process Encourage, don’t dictate Set up online activities with mobile option Do some reading on the subject http://www.diigo.com/list/dread1971/mobile- learning-for-esl-websiteshttp://www.diigo.com/list/dread1971/mobile- learning-for-esl-websites

16. References Kukulska-Hulme, Agnes and Traxler, John eds. (2005). Mobile learning: a handbook for educators and trainers.Open and Flexible Learning Series. London, UK: Routledge.Mobile learning: a handbook for educators and trainers.