Are Thai Students Ready for Mobile-Assisted Language Learning?
Phiphawin Suphawat Srikrai, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, Khon Kaen University (Thailand)
Abstract
Mobile learning (m-Learning) is currently being promoted throughout various disciplines, including language learning. It becomes an influencing tool for language learning from vocabulary learning, listening comprehension to reading. M-learning makes education as ubiquitous as possible, supports information learning, caters for spontaneous and unplanned ways of learning, and promotes personalized learning logically. Nevertheless, there also are concerns on the application of mobile-assisted language learning (MALL). For instance, the challenge of searching for suitable and effective methods to blend formal and informal learning, as seamless learning can occur anytime; in and out of classrooms, in formal settings, and the feeling of isolation, or separation bringing about opportunities for learners to work alone and isolated from other learners. In Thailand, m-learning is being employed in different fields of studies. MALL has also gained popularity among policy makers, researchers, educators, and practitioners. When it is caught a lot of attention, before any teachers launch new ways of learning to our students, it is more promising to know whether our students are ready for this yet. Despite demonstrating an interest towards MALL, students may not quite ready and uncertain about what it offers to assist their learning process. Therefore, this presentation aims at offer findings gathered on Thai students’ perceptions on MALL, and whether or not their current digital literacies match this learning approach. The sampling groups are university students from three main fields of studies; sciences and technology, medical sciences, and humanities and social sciences. The questionnaire and semi-structure interviews are conducted to obtain the data. The findings are expected to be fruitful for both designing MALL environments, and planning appropriate MALL pedagogical approaches for those students in the context.
Keywords |
Mobile-assisted Language Learning |