1. Using Mobile Devices
to Assess Language
Learning
Sara Lotz and Samantha Petree
Northern Arizona University
S

2. To start with…
S Text your answer to the following question: Do you own
a smartphone, iPod touch, iPad or tablet and have it
here with you?
S Yes: text 75171 to the number 37607
S No: text 75172 to the number 37607
S If you have a smartphone, iPod touch or iPad, please
download the following free app:
S Apple: Scan Android: QR Droid
S Blackberry: QR code scanner Pro

3. MALL: An overview
S MALL: Mobile Assisted Language Learning
S The use of mobile devices to faciliate language learning
S Mobile devices include cell phones, iPods, iPads, tablets,
e-readers.

4. Why use mobile devices in the
classroom?
S The majority of students have some type of mobile device (Jee,
2011).
S Today’s students are familiar with mobile devices and know
how to efectively use them (Reinders, 2010).
S Mobile devices contain various resources avaible to students at
any time such as the Internet, cameras, dictionaries, games,
etc. (Meurant, 2007).
S Using mobile devices in the classroom is supported by various
SLA (Second Language Acquisiton) theories (Jee, 2011).

5. SLA Theories Related to
Technology
S Interactionist Theory (Long, 1984): Learning ocurrs through
interaction.
S Examples: Skype, social networks, GoogleVoice, blogs, chat,
texting
S Sociocultural Theory (Vygotsky, 1978): Learners interact and
communicate with native speakers who then provide feedback
and information about their language and culture.
S Examples: social networks, SecondLife, GoogleVoice, texting,
chats
S Task-based Learning: Students perform a real-life task using
the target language: writing emails, filling out applications,
calling businesses in order to obtain information

6. Using Mobile Devices to
Assess Listening
Comprehension
S “Find someone who…” by scanning the QR voice codes
S Open the QR code application on your mobile device.
S Scan the QR code using your smartphone.
S Listen to the message.
S Find someone who matches the description in the
message.
S Write the name of that person underneath the QR
code.

7. Using Mobile Devices to
Assess Listening and
Speaking
S GoogleVoice
S Call the following phone number: (928) 235-8197
S Listen to the message.
S Leave a voicemail responding to the message.

8. Using Mobile Devices to
Assess Reading and Writing
S Look up the current weather for a city that speaks the language
you teach.
S Using your mobile device go to www.weather.com
S Choose a city in that country.
S Find the high and the low for today. What is the weather like?
Sunny? Rainy? Cloudy?
S Set up your response in the following format.
S City:
S High:
S Low:
S Weather:
S Send your response to: techpresentation@posterous.com

9. Using Mobile Devices to
Assess Vocabulary and
Grammar
S On your mobile device, go to the following website:
www.m.socrative.com
S Enter the following room number: 84764
S Type your first name & last name
S Wait for teacher to start the activity
S Read the question and click on the correct answer or type in
your response

10. Wiffiti.com
S Answer the following question: How could you use
one of the activities you learned today in your
classroom?
S Text your response to the following number:
87884
S At the start of your message, include the following
code: @wif97031 follwed by a space, then
your response

11. References
S Jee, M. (2011). Web 2.0 Technology meets mobile
assisted language learning. The IALLT Journal, 41(1),
161-175.
S Meurant, R. (2007). Using cell phones and SMS in
secondlanguage pedagogy. Journal of Convergence
InformationTechnology, 2(1), 98-106.
S Reinders, H. & Cho, M. (2011). Enhancing
informallanguage learning with mobile technology- Does
it work?. Journal of Second Language Teaching and
Research. 1(1).

12. Questions