ARTICLE

IMPROVING ENGLISH LANGUAGE PROFICIENCY OF GRADUATE STUDENTS BY ONLINE LEARNING APPS AVAILABLE ON SMARTPHONE

  1. HOME
  2. ARTICLE

57 Pages : 535-543

http://dx.doi.org/10.31703/grr.2019(IV-III).57      10.31703/grr.2019(IV-III).57      Published : Sep 2019

Improving English Language Proficiency of Graduate Students by Online Learning Apps available on Smartphone

Abstract

    The field of digital literacy is developing rapidly; consequently, the interest of researchers has also shifted now. The current research study was to explore the role of online learning Apps available on smartphones in improving graduate students' English language proficiency. Quantitative and qualitative research methods were used in this study. Data were collected through a questionnaire that had close-ended and open-ended questions. Questionnaires were distributed among 480 graduate-level students studying in 6 universities of Punjab, Pakistan. Data were analyzed by using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS 22.0) to find out results in the form of Percentage, Mean Score, Standard Deviation by applying the Independent Sample T-Test. The results of the study demonstrated the potential of Mobile Assisted Language Learning (MALL) as an anticipatory approach to improving English language skills. Results showed that students were pleased to use smartphones to improve their English language proficiency. They responded positively about the role of smartphones in improving English language skills. On the basis of findings, the researcher concluded that smartphone plays an important role in improving students' English language proficiency.

    Perception, Online Learning, Smart Learning, Portable Learning, Learning Apps

    (1) Shahida Naz
    PhD Scholar, Department of English, The Islamia University of Bahawalpur, Punjab, Pakistan.
    (2) Mamuna Ghani
    Professor, Department of English, The Islamia University of Bahawalpur, Punjab, Pakistan.
    (3) Shahid Nawaz
    Assistant Professor, Department of English, The Islamia University of Bahawalpur, Punjab, Pakistan.
Fulltext PDF

References

  • Al-Tameemy, F. (2017). Mobile phones for teaching and learning: Implementation and students' and teachers' attitudes.Journal of Educational Technology Systems,45(3), 436-451
  • Bashar, A. (2012). Teachers' Attitudes in the Workplace: Myth and/ or Reality? Revue Desesince Humanizes,4(1), 7-21.
  • Bogardus, E. S. (1931). Fundamentals of Social Psychology.(2nd ed.) New York: Century Publications.
  • Burston, J. (2013). Mobile-assisted language learning: A selected annotated bibliography of implementation studies 1994-2012. Language Learning & Technology, 17(3), 157-225
  • Burston, J. (2014). The reality of MALL: Still on the fringes. CALICO Journal, 31(1), 103-125. doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.11139/cj.31.1
  • avus, N., & Ibrahim, D. (2009).m-Learning: An experiment in using SMS to support learning new English language words.British Journal of Educational Technology, 40(1),
  • Cheung, W. S., & Hew, K. F. (2009). A review of research methodologies used in studies on mobile handheld devices in K-12 and higher education settings. Australasian Journal of Educational Technology, 25(2), 153-183
  • Conole, G., De Laat, M., Dillon, T., & Darby,J. (2008). 'Disruptive technologies', 'pedagogical innovation': What's new? Findings from an in-depth study of students' use and perception of technology.Computers & Education,50(2), 511-524.
  • Cui, G., & Wang, S. (2008). Adopting cell phones in EFL teaching and learning. The University of Southern Mississippi, 1(1), 69-80
  • Darko-Adjei, N. (2019). The Use and Effect of Smartphones in Students' Learning Activities.Evidence from the University of Ghana, Legon.
  • Ferreira, J. B., Klein, A. Z., Freitas, A., & Schlemmer, E. (2013). Mobile learning: Definition, uses and challenges. Cutting-Edge Technologies in Higher Education,6, 47-82
  • Ishaq, M. (2018). The Role of Electronic Dictionary in English Language Learning in ESL Context(Unpublished M.Phil Thesis). Department of English, The Islamia University of Bahawalpur.
  • Johnson, R. J. (2014). Based on teacher perceptions, wouldthe use of social media via mobile devices in grades 9-12 classrooms increase student engagement in learning activities?
  • Kanchana, S., & Saha, P. R. (2015). Integrating Smart Phones in Teaching Listening, Speaking, Reading and Writing Skills. International Journal of English Language, Literature and Translation Studies (IJELR), 2(1), 8-11
  • Keegan, D. (2005.). The Incorporation of Mobile Learning into Mainstream Education and Training. Proceedings of mLearn2005-4th World Conference of m-Learning, (pp. 25-28). Cape Town, South Africa. Retrieved from http://www.mlearn.org.za/CD/papers/keegan1.pdf
  • Khalid, M. (2018). Role of Mobile Assisted Language Learning (MALL) to Improve Students' Writing Skills (Unpublished M.Phil Thesis).Department of English, The Islamia University of Bahawalpur.
  • Kiernan, P., & Aizawa, K. (2004). Cell Phones in Task Based Learning. Are cell phones useful language learning tools? ReCALL, 16(1), 71-84.
  • Kress, G., & Pachler, N. (2007). Talking about the 'M' in Learning. In: Pachler, N. (ed.), Mobile Learning: Towards a Research Agenda. WLE Centre.Occasional papers. http://www.wlecentre. ac.uk/ cms/ files/ occasionalpapers/ mobilelearning_pachler2007.pdf
  • Kukulska-Hulme, A. (2009). Will mobile learning change language learning?.ReCALL,21(2), 157-165
  • Kukulska-Hulme, A., & Shield, L. (2008). An overview of mobile assisted language learning: From content delivery to supported collaboration and interaction. ReCALL, 20(3), 271-289.
  • Kukulska-Hulme, A., & Traxler, J. (Eds.). (2005).Mobile Learning: A Handbook for Educators and Trainers. New York: Psychology Press
  • Kumaravadivelu, B. (2003). Beyond Methods: Macrostrategies for language teaching. Hartford, CT: Yale University Press.
  • umaravadivelu, B. (2012). Language teacher education for a global society: A modular model for knowing, analyzing, recognizing, doing, and seeing.New York, NY: Routledge.
  • Morse, J. M. (2016).Mixed method design: Principles and Procedures.New York: Routledge
  • Naismith, L., Lonsdale, P., Vavoula, G., & Sharples, M. (2004). Report 11: Literature Review in Mobile Technologies and Learning. Future Lab.
  • Pollara, P., & Broussard, K. K. (2011). Mobile technology and student learning: What does current research reveal?International Journal of Mobile and Blended Learning (IJMBL),3(3), 34-42
  • Ros i Sole, C., Calic, J., & Neijmann, D. (2010). A social and self-reflective approach to MALL. ReCALL 22(1), 39-52
  • Shamim, F. (2017). English as the language of development in Pakistan: Issues, challenges and possible solutions. See discussions,stats, and author profiles for this publication at: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/313722489
  • Song, Y & Fox, R. (2008). Using PDA for undergraduate student incidental vocabulary testing. ReCALL, 20(3), 290-314
  • Stockwell, G. (2007). Vocabulary on the move: Investigating an intelligent mobile phone-based vocabulary tutor. Computer Assisted Language Learning, 20(4), 365-383
  • Tough, A. (1973). The adult's learning projects: A fresh approach to theory and practice in adult learning. Toronto, Ontario: The Ontario Institute for Studies in Education
  • Traxler, J. (2009). Current State of Mobile Learning. In M. Ally (Ed.), Mobile Learning: Transforming the Delivery of Education and Training (pp. 9-24). Edmonton: Athabasca University Press
  • Traxler, J., & Kukulska-Hulme, A. (Eds.). (2007).Mobile Learning: A Handbook for Educators and Trainers. New York: Routledge Publications.
  • Viberg, O., & Grönlund, Å. (2013). Systematizing the field of mobile assisted language learning.International Journal of Mobile and Blended Learning (IJMBL),5(4), 72-90
  • Winters, N. (2006). What is mobile learning? In M. Sharples (Ed.), Big Issues in Mobile Learning: Report of a workshop by the Kaleidoscope Network of Excellence Mobile Learning Initiative.Nottingham: University of Nottingham.
  • Zahoor, S., Shah, M. A., & Wahid, A. (2017, April). The green 2020: Impact of smartphones on the environment in present and future. In2017 International Conference on Communication Technologies (ComTech)(pp. 91-97). IEEE.

Cite this article

APA

    APA : Naz, S., Ghani, M., & Nawaz, S. (2019). Improving English Language Proficiency of Graduate Students by Online Learning Apps available on Smartphone. Global Regional Review, IV(III), 535-543. https://doi.org/10.31703/grr.2019(IV-III).57

CHICAGO

    CHICAGO : Naz, Shahida, Mamuna Ghani, and Shahid Nawaz. 2019. "Improving English Language Proficiency of Graduate Students by Online Learning Apps available on Smartphone." Global Regional Review, IV (III): 535-543 doi: 10.31703/grr.2019(IV-III).57

HARVARD

    HARVARD : NAZ, S., GHANI, M. & NAWAZ, S. 2019. Improving English Language Proficiency of Graduate Students by Online Learning Apps available on Smartphone. Global Regional Review, IV, 535-543.

MHRA

    MHRA : Naz, Shahida, Mamuna Ghani, and Shahid Nawaz. 2019. "Improving English Language Proficiency of Graduate Students by Online Learning Apps available on Smartphone." Global Regional Review, IV: 535-543

MLA

    MLA : Naz, Shahida, Mamuna Ghani, and Shahid Nawaz. "Improving English Language Proficiency of Graduate Students by Online Learning Apps available on Smartphone." Global Regional Review, IV.III (2019): 535-543 Print.

OXFORD

    OXFORD : Naz, Shahida, Ghani, Mamuna, and Nawaz, Shahid (2019), "Improving English Language Proficiency of Graduate Students by Online Learning Apps available on Smartphone", Global Regional Review, IV (III), 535-543

TURABIAN

    TURABIAN : Naz, Shahida, Mamuna Ghani, and Shahid Nawaz. "Improving English Language Proficiency of Graduate Students by Online Learning Apps available on Smartphone." Global Regional Review IV, no. III (2019): 535-543. https://doi.org/10.31703/grr.2019(IV-III).57