Mobile learning

Typically, m-learning is identified both by being available ?anywhere, anytime? (Geddes, 2004) and by the tools used: mobile learning can perhaps be defined as ?any educational provision where the sole or dominant technologies are handheld or palmtop devices? (Traxler, 2005), although in reality it is more usually confined to being one aspect of the provision. For our purposes, then, ?mobile learning? refers to learning mediated via handheld devices and potentially available anytime, anywhere. Such learning may be formal or informal.? (p.273)
Kukulska-Hulme, A. and Shield, L. (2008) ‘An overview of mobile assisted language learning: From content delivery to supported collaboration and interaction’, ReCALL, 20, (03), pp. 271-289. (p.273)

What are the advantages and disadvantages of mobile devices for language learning? How might they be used, either as supplements to classwork, or in class? What is better done with mobile devices and what with desktops? What evidence is there of the way different kinds of mobile technology can be used, of the different kinds of activity that can usefully be carried out with mobile computers, and of practical issues that may need to be tackled?

Discuss the application to language learning of one of the topics on the module (the one above)
The main aims of this assignment are for you to demonstrate that you:
? are familiar with literature on the topic;
? have understood the potential (and possible drawbacks) of a particular technology for language learning and teaching;
? can explain why the use of the technology for language learning is appropriate in a particular context;
? are able to show how the technology can be incorporated into a language course or a language lesson.

Mobile learning

Typically, m-learning is identified both by being available ?anywhere, anytime? (Geddes, 2004) and by the tools used: mobile learning can perhaps be defined as ?any educational provision where the sole or dominant technologies are handheld or palmtop devices? (Traxler, 2005), although in reality it is more usually confined to being one aspect of the provision. For our purposes, then, ?mobile learning? refers to learning mediated via handheld devices and potentially available anytime, anywhere. Such learning may be formal or informal.? (p.273)
Kukulska-Hulme, A. and Shield, L. (2008) ‘An overview of mobile assisted language learning: From content delivery to supported collaboration and interaction’, ReCALL, 20, (03), pp. 271-289. (p.273)

What are the advantages and disadvantages of mobile devices for language learning? How might they be used, either as supplements to classwork, or in class? What is better done with mobile devices and what with desktops? What evidence is there of the way different kinds of mobile technology can be used, of the different kinds of activity that can usefully be carried out with mobile computers, and of practical issues that may need to be tackled?

Discuss the application to language learning of one of the topics on the module (the one above)
The main aims of this assignment are for you to demonstrate that you:
? are familiar with literature on the topic;
? have understood the potential (and possible drawbacks) of a particular technology for language learning and teaching;
? can explain why the use of the technology for language learning is appropriate in a particular context;
? are able to show how the technology can be incorporated into a language course or a language lesson.