PERCEIVED BENEFITS OF WHATSAPP VOICE MESSAGING: INVESTIGATING EFL STUDENTS’ EXPERIENCES

Rapid emergence of wireless technologies and ownership of mobile devices have changed many aspects of peoples’ lives. These mobile technologies have been integrated into language learning and teaching as well. Successful and effective use of these technologies in language learning, however, depends on the incorporation of pedagogical principles guided by theories of second language acquisition (SLA). Accordingly, informed by the interaction hypothesis (Gass & Mackey, 2015), this study employed a messaging application, WhatsApp, to help language learners improve their communication skills. Nine A1 level EFL students used WhatsApp voice messaging with their peers outside the classes to accomplish the tasks assigned to them for four weeks in the spring semester of 2018. Later, their experiences were investigated by means of written surveys. Content analysis of the data demonstrated that all the students who took part in the study benefitted from the WhatsApp voice messaging practice and perceived numerous benefits. These included speaking and pronunciation development, an opportunity for language practice, review of previous learning, overcoming shyness, and awareness and correction of errors. The findings were discussed in the light of the existing literature and certain implications arose for both language learners and teachers. Article visualizations

Promoting Learner Engagement through Interactive Digital Tools

Interactive digital tools and virtual learning spaces can be effective in engaging learners with language, content, and culture that promote language proficiency. However, the mere utilization of technology tools does not guarantee learner growth in language proficiency without careful attention to research-informed learning strategies and standards-based instructional design. Learning objectives and language functions drive instruction, and digital learning tools can provide differentiated learning opportunities and learner support that scaffold the learning process. The authors provide a review of the literature on technology integration in world language education as well as examples of popular digital tools designed to facilitate meaningful, interactive communication. Three digital tools, WeChat, iBook Author, and Spark Video, were chosen as exemplars as they provide varied and multiple instructional functions in all three modes of communication

Mobile Assisted Language Learning: What's up with Whatsapp

Mobile phones are viewed as significant aids to English language learning. Numerous studies have been conducted in different contexts on mobile assisted language learning (MALL) that indicate the benefits of mobile devices for English language learning. During the recent technological years, language learning has been attempted to transform its path from the conventional methods to instrumental applications. Mobile phone provides people to reach and exchange information through chats (WhatsApp). With the rapid increase in the use of mobile devices nowadays, especially smartphones, it is only natural for educators to turn to mobile technology to examine how it can be fully integrated in an educational context to support students’ learning beyond the classroom. This study attempts to solve the lack of communicative learning opportunities by introducing mobile-assisted language learning with Whatsapp. In addition, it tries to investigates the perceptions of students towards the use of Whatsapp as a tool for develop their English writing skill. To achieve the result, a sample of 50 sophomores from the Department of English Education of STKIP PGRI Bandar Lampung, aged 18 to 20 years old. The results suggest that mobile-assisted language learning helps to create language immersion, which effectively motivates the learners further. Therefore, mobile-assisted language learning is promising in English learning for college students

Learning Engagement of Adult Females in Remote Physical Fitness Program Through Mobile App Intervention

The use of digital devices such as laptops, personal digital assistants, and mobile phones as learning tools has gained prominence in formal education, generating increased research interest in potential growth areas. According to Jeong and So (2020), there seems to be inadequate empirical evidence from extensive research to support its learning effectiveness in the fitness domain, especially among women who have been underrepresented in economically stressed areas. One of the several explanations for this disparity is the failure to consider women’s intersecting cultural identities or potential for social impact. This paper focuses on addressing this issue by conducting a qualitative study. It involves a focus group comprising 15 adult females aged 24 and above. The primary objective is to assess how virtual learning influences the learning perception of adult female learners at a yoga and fitness studio. Interactive self-paced mobile-assisted learning modules were facilitated through the use of mobile phones.  An open-ended questionnaire was designed using online resources for primary data collection. The findings were derived by cross-referencing data collected from recordings, interviews, and questionnaires. The study revealed that participating in online fitness classes could enhance women's involvement in fitness-related activities

Designing and Implementing a Hybrid First Year Chinese Course: Theoretical Frameworks and Instructional Practices

This paper presents an effective model for the design and implementation of a first-year hybrid Chinese course at college level, based on the insight gained from developing and teaching such a course over a period of three consecutive years. It describes the components of our course design, the theoretical underpinnings of the design, and the implementation. Some general recommendations are also offered for designing hybrid language courses

Designing and Implementing a Hybrid First Year Chinese Course: Theoretical Frameworks and Instructional Practices

This paper presents an effective model for the design and implementation of a first-year hybrid Chinese course at college level, based on the insight gained from developing and teaching such a course over a period of three consecutive years. It describes the components of our course design, the theoretical underpinnings of the design, and the implementation. Some general recommendations are also offered for designing hybrid language courses

Learning Engagement of Adult Females in Remote Physical Fitness Program Through Mobile App Intervention

The use of digital devices such as laptops, personal digital assistants, and mobile phones as learning tools has gained prominence in formal education, generating increased research interest in potential growth areas. According to Jeong and So (2020), there seems to be inadequate empirical evidence from extensive research to support its learning effectiveness in the fitness domain, especially among women who have been underrepresented in economically stressed areas. One of the several explanations for this disparity is the failure to consider women’s intersecting cultural identities or potential for social impact. This paper focuses on addressing this issue by conducting a qualitative study. It involves a focus group comprising 15 adult females aged 24 and above. The primary objective is to assess how virtual learning influences the learning perception of adult female learners at a yoga and fitness studio. Interactive self-paced mobile-assisted learning modules were facilitated through the use of mobile phones. An open-ended questionnaire was designed using online resources for primary data collection. The findings were derived by cross-referencing data collected from recordings, interviews, and questionnaires. The study revealed that participating in online fitness classes could enhance women's involvement in fitness-related activities

Students’ experiences of using mobile phones for Afrikaans vocabulary development

Abstract: The proliferation of mobile technology presents an opportunity for (language) teachers to experiment with using mobile devices to enhance the learning process. However, research in Mobile-Assisted Language Learning (MALL) is relatively new and unexplored in South Africa, resulting in a lack of empirical evidence to guide such curriculum integration and implementation. This study was undertaken to investigate students’ experiences using their mobile phones to develop Afrikaans vocabulary. As an out-of-class activity, they received mini vocabulary lessons on their mobile phones. The retention of target words was then assessed and reinforced during text-based activities. The findings confirm that using a mobile phone as a learning tool allows learning to take place anywhere, anytime and serves as a bridge between formal and informal learning. When used for vocabulary development, the choice of app, the type of activity, the content and size of the message impact on the learning experience

Mobile Instant Messaging as Collaborative Tool for Language Learning

In recent years, collaborative learning is commonly used in higher intuitions. One of the modes of collaborative learning is exploiting mobile phones specifically instant messaging to foster new possibilities for achieving more effective and attractive learning activities. Even though mobile phones have become valuable collaborative learning tools, but their substantial contributions to collaborative learning are still insufficient. The current study collated and correlated 40 journal articles published between 2015 and 2017 on mobile instant messaging as a collaborative tool in language learning at higher intuitions. A systematic review was conducted to investigate the effectiveness of mobile instant messaging as a collaborative tool for language learning. Numerous issues, such as exploration of the application, the research methods, participants, intervention duration, teaching method, collaborative learning strategies, impacts, and challenges were addressed. The outcomes revealed that mobile instant messaging improved student and lecturer collaboration, created effective distant learning opportunities, and increased students’ participation. Further, the results also provided insights on future research and practice such as recommendations on how to appropriately employ mobile phones specifically instant messaging in facilitating language learning. Additionally, some studies suggested the collaborative learning activities administered through mobile instant messaging should be planned carefully to guide students to experience more effective collaborative learning

Instant messaging and the facilitation of collaborative, student-led learning and teaching-support: The NZCEL EAP scenario

Abstract In the last couple of decades, the increased use of technology in the education sector has led to smartphone use becoming more prevalent in supporting students’ learning. Apart from applications (apps) specifically designed for language educational purposes, such as Duolingo, there are also instant messaging apps that are not specifically designed for education purposes, but that can be useful in supporting learners. These include instant messaging apps such as, WhatsApp and WeChat. Instead of relegating phone app use to merely a source of entertainment and distraction, teachers increasingly use them as a vital form of communication to enhance education, including language learning. Apps have thus shifted from a tangential position to the forefront of the learning space. For the purposes of this research project, WeChat was used as the messaging app. This article focuses on the initial findings of a pilot study and concentrates on the perceived purposes for the participants’ posts as they relate to the use of the app as a tool for collaboration, peer-support, and knowledge sharing. Data was gathered through an online survey, semi-structured interviews, and an analysis of the WeChat posts. Analysis of the posts and comments made by students during the interviews suggest that the tool formed a vital link between them, their classmates and teachers, and, at times, served as a social platform underlying the key educational purposes of the programme