Mobile Phones: Underutilized Pedagogical Devices - Mr. Pir Suhail Ahmed #OZeLIVE http://ozelive.com King Abdul Aziz University @SarhandiSuhail The potential of digital mobile devices such as Personal Digital Assistants and mobile phones to achieve a large scale impact on learning has been well documented by a number of researchers. Recent investigations on mobile devices have increasingly focused on the importance of documenting the relationship between pedagogy and technology. As an English teacher, I see many educators heaping malediction upon the prevalent use of mobile devices and kvetch that our learners have become addicted to their mobile phones and they should not be allowed to use these devices in our classes. Using a mobile phone is not appreciated in our classroom culture. Unfortunately, we have paid no attention to the fact that a lot of learning has been done on mobile phones and they can be used as valuable teaching tools. This session provides an introduction to mobile learning and explores its role in a classroom setting. It will exemplify using mobile phones as a learning tool and its relationship with the postmodern pedagogies of socially constructed learning. It will also provide guidance for language educators who want to adopt a more productive teaching and learning process in their classes by implementing M-learning. The session will help us understand the impact of these under-utilized devices on teaching and learning. Pir Suhail Sarhandi has earned an MA in English Literature and another MA in Applied Linguistics from Pakistan. He has trained teachers and taught ESL/EFL for the last seven years in the Middle East. Currently he is working for English Language Institute, King Abdul Aziz University, Saudi Arabia. His research interests include (but not limited to) teaching methods and techniques, native/non-native dichotomy, professional development and mLearning.

1. MOBILE PHONES:
UNDERUTILIZED
PEDAGOGICAL DEVICES
Pir Suhail Sarhandi
ELI, King Abdul Aziz
University, Saudi Arabia
Email: ssarhandi@yahoo.com
Skype: pirsuhailahmed
Twitter: SarhandiSuhail
Using Mobile Phones in a Language Class
Under-utilized mobile devices
Effectively

2. What is M-Learning?
The use of mobile devices in learning is Mobile-learning.
According to different researchers:
" Mobile learning is any sort of learning that happens when the
learner is not at a fixed, predetermined location or learning that
happens when the learner takes advantage of the learning
opportunities offered by mobile technologies." (O'Maley 2003)
"M-learning is the acquisition of any knowledge and skill through
using mobile technology, anywhere, anytime, that results in an
alteration in behavior." (Geddes 2004)
" Mobile learning is any educational provision where the sole or
dominant technologies are hand-held or palmtop devices." ( John
Traxler 2005)

3. M-learning = learning on the move.

playing games

chatting with family and friends

texting messages

downloading pictures , music and videos

4. What changes mobile has
brought!
Mobile in………….. Wrist watch out
Mobile in………….. Radio out
Mobile in …………. Stereo out
Mobile in………….. Letter out
Mobile in …………. Calendar out
Mobile in…………...Camera out
Mobile in …………. Calculator out
Mobile in …………. Computer out

5. Mobile phone as a learning tool.
Under-utilized tool

6. Mobile phones as motivational tools
Anxiety interferes with second language acquisition. ( Krashen 1982)

New opportunities for engaging learners

Brings real world facilities into a limited classroom.

7. Mobile phone as a pedagogical tool.
Mobile phone is not an standalone tool in the classroom. ( Prensky 2003, Sharples
2009)
Some of the pedagogical uses of mobile phones:

8. How to use mobile phones as a pedagogical tool?
It is never too late to learn.
Using a simple GSM mobile phone:

9. How to use mobile phones as a pedagogical tool?
Change doesn’t happen over-night.
Using internet-enabled cell phones:

10. Problematizing Mobile Learning

11. Conclusion
Momentum gathers for a reason and can be hard to slow.



I think it is important to be familiar with the new
resources that are available and to
challenge teaching-learning myths and
prejudices.
Learning is maximized when a variety of
resources are used.
Mobile phone as a learning tool can contribute
to a more holistic approach to learning,
combined with visual , kinesthetic and tactile

12. L
earning m
eans being open to what com
es,
relating to it, and becom different in its
ing
presence. (Caleb Gattegno)
Feel free to write me your comments and suggestions