How Mobile Learning Facilitates Student Engagement: A Case Study from the Teaching of Spanish

Beth Beckmann, Daniel Martin

    Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingEntry for encyclopedia/dictionarypeer-review

    Abstract

    M-learning is not a new phenomenon. Ever since human societies began to record their achievements, philosophies, histories, and ideas in resources that were portable—whether stone tablets, printed books, wax cylinders, or cassette tapes—people have taken advantage of that portability to learn what they want, where they want. The difference today is the increasing plethora of mobile electronic devices that have seemingly few limits on what they can access from across the whole world of human knowledge. As Chapter 1 explains, m-learning can be defined as a process whereby personal electronic devices are used to facilitate “learning across multiple contexts, through social and content interactions” (Crompton, 2013, p. 4). This chapter explores these contexts and interactions as contributors to higher-quality, and more authentic, learning outcomes when m-learning is encouraged. For example, during 6 years (2005–2011) of action research into diverse innovations in teaching Spanish to undergraduates at the Australian National University (ANU), we have found that facilitating m-learning is an effective way for teachers to maximize students’ exposure to, and engagement with, language resources as both listeners and speakers. Using evidence primarily from this case study, we explain why and how those of us who wish to emphasize student-centered teaching must support—perhaps even insist on—increasing use of mobile technologies.
    Original languageEnglish
    Title of host publicationHandbook of Mobile Learning
    EditorsBerge, Z.L. & Muilenburg, L. Y.
    Place of PublicationNew York, USA and Abingdon, UK
    PublisherRoutledge, Taylor & Francis Group
    Pages534-544
    Volume1
    Edition1st
    ISBN (Print)9780415503693
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - 2013

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