Innovation in Language Learning

With the latest social networking and web 2.0 technologies, mobile-assisted language learning, and the recent movement towards flipped classroom models; our talk will present a tool and a pedagogical design that incorporate recent trends in technology use and flipped learning.  Mobile-Assisted Language Learning (MALL) has evolved tremendously since its inception (cf. Chenney, 2007) and includes MP3 players, PDAs, e-dictionnaries, e-book readers, tablettes, mobile phones, and laptop computers (Burston, 2014, Stockwell & Hubbard, 2013, Kukulska-Hulma & Shield, 2008).  The purpose of our flipped learning model incorporating online communicative tasks and exchanges was designed to bridge the gap between learning taking place in the classroom and in distance mode outside of class and works with a variety of mobile tools.

In the first part of our presentation, we will review and discuss the definitions and theoretical backgrounds of social networking, web 2.0 tools, Mobile-Assisted Language Learning (MALL) and the concepts of a flipped learning model.

The second part of our presentation will present our flipped learning design.  We will demonstrate our design by showing some sample tasks and student production from our classes.  These samples will be coming from intermediate university French language classes (levels between A2 and B1) in the United States where classes take place either two or three times a week (typically Monday, Wednesday, Friday) and technology is used in between the classes to bridge the language learning.

We will finish our communication by presenting the tool Edmodo.  Edmodo is a web 2.0 tool (platform and application) that provides a space to post and share messages and materials.  The participants will be provided with concrete examples for using this educational platform and will be given the opportunity to test out the platform during the communication through a test role-play simulation.