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An overview of mobile assisted language learning: From content delivery to supported collaboration and interaction

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  21 August 2008

Agnes Kukulska-Hulme
Affiliation:
The Institute of Educational Technology, The Open University, UK (email: [email protected])
Lesley Shield
Affiliation:
Independent E-learning Consultant, UK (email: [email protected])

Abstract

Mobile learning is undergoing rapid evolution. While early generations of mobile learning tended to propose activities that were carefully crafted by educators and technologists, learners are increasingly motivated by their personal learning needs, including those arising from greater mobility and frequent travel. At the same time, it is often argued that mobile devices are particularly suited to supporting social contacts and collaborative learning - claims that have obvious relevance for language learning. A review of publications reporting mobile-assisted language learning (MALL) was undertaken to discover how far mobile devices are being used to support social contact and collaborative learning. In particular, we were interested in speaking and listening practice and in the possibilities for both synchronous and asynchronous interaction in the context of online and distance learning. We reflect on how mobile language learning has developed to date and suggest directions for the future.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © European Association for Computer Assisted Language Learning 2008

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