Wednesday, January 17, 2018

M Learning

In this post, I will outline some mobile learning apps are and the benefits they offer.

Mobile learning apps are apps that help delivery of information that is convenient and interesting to the tech savvy. They also provide learners with the flexibility to learn anywhere, anytime. Some mobile learning apps work on and offline.  
Wikipedia: students could search the encyclopedia and read on/offline. They do a Google search and eventually search Wikipedia once they enter the website. Once they search a topic they could close the data.
All of the following apps are free. You just need to download them through playstore. You have to open the data/wifi while using them.
Utube:  Your students could open the videos you assign. They then could summarize and comment on these videos. They watch for a reason.
TED TED Conferences  LLC: It includes numerous TED Talks. New talks are added on daily bases.
TEDlang Learn English: This app is designed for ESL learners. It has subtitles.
VOA NEWS: Teachers can lead students to Voice of America website and they can read or listen to news, interviews or stories. They also have special material for learning English https://learningenglish.voanews.com/
VOA Learning English:  
 BBC Learning English: BBC is an reputable radio and television channel, and the app is really helpful.
BBC Listening English: The app is dedicated to listening and is really helpful. 
Oxford 500 English Conversation: The app is effective and resourceful.
IELTS Listening: Though dedicated to IELTS, still it can help students even if not preparing for IELTS.
IELTS Practice Test: Another free app that can help students improve. 
English Pronunciation: The app really helps students pronunciation. 
Browsing through the playstore, you will find infinite free and for money apps. Choose what you feel is really helpful for your students and supports your curriculum.  
As for me I use mobile in different ways namely the following:
 I make my students download Infotech, English Vocabulary in Use, English Companion B Course, and we do some parts together. Other parts are assigned to be done at home. They are great as they work offline and there no internet access available in my institute.
I make my students go to Wikipedia, we read articles together on  many topics. The one they love best are those on Arabic movies, writers, and celebrities as they feel English can reflect their culture.
We also google many things, words, expressions, proverbs. This make them get the idea that technology can help them improve. 
I also use TED and I assign them to watch videos and comment on them. 

The play store is full of apps that are both free and for money.  Browse the play store, choose the app you feel will help your students and support your curriculum.  Understand the app well as you will be responsible for explaining the app for your students. In addition,  your students will always come back to you for questions.