week 9

USING MOBILE PHONES IN THE LANGUAGE CLASSROOM.

Nowadays technology plays an important role in teaching, so as teachers we have to take advantage of all the tools that we have on hand. The mobile phone is not used just for communication we can take this as a tool in the teaching process. First, we have to take in account that students have a cellphone and if they are young ask for permissions to their parents. Then, teachers have to create plans or objectives to achieve the language learning. Here I will mention some activities using mobile phone device.

1.       Use the Voice Memo Recorder feature to record conversations outside the classroom: students can record interview or conversations they engage in outside the classroom and make discussion in class.

2.       Use the Text Messaging feature for circular writing: students can create a story together by contributing one text message at a time. Each student writes a sentence or two and then sends this on to the next student, who adds another message, and so on until the story is complete.

3.       Use the mobile phone for social networking: Like Twitter, Facebook and Myspace where students can post pictures and comment about it using the target language.

4.       Use the mobile phone to play games: such as Scrabble and crossword puzzles and so on. You have to select the appropriate games for encourage them to learn the new language and aid them to search more games that help them in this process.

5.       Use the mobile phone to check student comprehension and get feedback: One way is to add an element of interactivity to your classes through audience participation. Polleverywhere (www.polleverywhere.com) is a free program that allows the teacher to pose survey questions to students. Students respond by texting their responses.

To conclude, all these ideas allow to students to increase their opportunities in the learning process by taking advantage of mobile phone device. However, there are some challenge in the used of cellphones in class or outside, students can be distracted quickly but it to be a worthwhile investment of their time and a welcome addition to their language teaching methods.

I will give to this article 5 stars