Mobile-assisted Learning

Mobile technology has become one of the most frequently used communication device. According to Liz Kolb, the 21^st century generation learners are free-agent learners as they learn anywhere, anytime and at any pace. Therefore, many researchers and educators talk about the use of cell phones as social tools that support authentic and relevant communication and cooperation among learners.

One of the advantages of this technology is that all learners have them as they are cheap and very powerful in giving and receiving information. The articles that I have read and Liz Kolb who is an expert in mobile assisted learning emphasize the use of mobile phones in EFL classrooms and introduce different ways of applying these devices for EFL learning/teaching purposes. I found many advantages in using cell phones in learning. Here are some of them:

ü  Enhances students engagement

ü  Takes the learning from inside the classroom to outside

ü  Gives access to online textbooks, dictionaries, podcasts

ü  Enables students to go beyond the classroom material

ü  Students can interview people

ü  Take videos in class and outside of it

ü  Download interesting things related to the topic

ü  Listen to EFL activities, songs

ü  Share their findings with their peers

Moreover, mobile phones help students to become self-learners, be creative and avoid all types of restrictions that traditional learning sometimes puts in front of them. However, there is a thread that the cell phones may serve as ‘cheating and distracting tools’ if frequently used in the classroom. To avoid that the teachers need to be trained on how to use this technology so that the students can benefit from it and to demonstrate the real purpose of using them in and outside the classroom.

I am an optimist and I think that mobile-assisted learning can be implemented in Armenian classrooms as almost everyone has a phone and if given clear instructions the learners can use them in their learning. To be honest I have used my cell phone as a tool that allows students to listen to different songs or other listening activities. I have not tried anything else, but I think that it will work pretty well.