Better Language Learning with Mobile Apps

 

Since his students began using Quizlet, English teacher Tristan Thorne has noticed an improvement in their ability to learn – and use – new words.

Quizlet is a learning app - a computer program you use on your mobile device.

It can help users build and test their knowledge of English words and terms. Quizlet has word sets for millions of subjects. And, it is quickly becoming a useful mobile tool for language learners.

Thorne teaches at Columbia University in New York City.

Thanks to learning apps, Jeff Strack, another English teacher, has also noted¹ improvement in his students' ability to remember information.

Strack teaches at Hostos Community College, also in New York. He and Thorne are part of a growing number of language educators adding mobile apps to their classes.

Smartphones make smart students

Strack and Thorne seem to agree that the days when teachers would not permit the use of mobile devices are gone.

"…because smart phones are so common and because students want to use them and also because there are so many great apps and technology out there that can address language-learning objectives – I think those are all really good reasons for why instructors² should at least attempt to use some apps."

When they use apps, language learners interact with language differently than in a traditional classroom. Users act on or respond to something, instead of just listening to new information.

Thorne believes that apps can help learners become more actively³ involved in learning. For example, each week, his students are required to add vocabulary words into Quizlet for others to use.

He says some apps also make it easy for students to identify their language strengths and weaknesses.

The biggest improvement Strack has seen in his students is their rate of participation⁴. They are much more active in whole-class or small-group discussions, he notes.

"Apps…involve all students in the activity," he says, "whether it's a presentation, game, quiz or practice activity."

Something for everyone

Many learning apps are designed for students of all ages and levels. Some are designed for group activities. Others support independent learning. Still others are ideal for homework.

Thorne says he especially likes Quizlet and three other apps: QR Codes, Socrative and Evernote.

QR Codes

A QR Code is a kind of sign that a smartphone can read with its camera. When the phone recognizes the information, it takes the user to a website, image, video, or anything else you want to share.

Thorne says QR Codes can help bring real-world materials into the classroom. For example, color printing can be costly⁵, but QR Codes enable students to see color images or infographics, he notes.

"…If we create a QR code of something like an infographic or an image that was used in this morning's NPR article, students can scan the QR Code and instantly bring that infographic to their phones and explore and click around."

Evernote

Evernote lets users store and share notes, images and recordings⁶ in one place.

Teachers can also use Evernote to give homework. Thorne often asks his students to record their reaction to something from class. Then, he listens to their recordings and adds his response.

He says the best reason to use Evernote is that it helps students to identify their language strengths and weaknesses.

"Which, you know, is one of the first things instructors need to do is to…find ways to get students to notice the errors or the particular language challenges they have."?

Quizlet

Thorne says Quizlet is a powerful tool because of the many ways it can improve a student’s vocabulary. The app uses flashcards, spelling quizzes and other methods to build and test learners’ vocabulary skills. And, learners can use Quizlet on their own.

"…the usual or traditional method of vocabulary studying is to….write it down in a notebook and review for five or ten minutes a day just looking at it. But, you're not actually engaging with the form and the meaning and the use of the vocabulary."

Socrative

In Socrative, teachers can create timed learning games. Then in class, students compete individually or as part of a team against classmates. One game Thorne's students love is called Space Race. In this game, if a team answers a question correctly, their rocket moves forward. The team whose rocket gets to the end first wins.

Also, teachers can use Socrative as an “exit ticket,” a question they can ask students about what they learned in that day's class. Students write their answers on their mobile devices. Then, the teacher can show the answers on a shared video screen.

Technology with a purpose

Thorne says that, when teachers do use apps, it should always support learning goals.

"What it boils down to is: are we using technology for a real purpose? And is it something that we could not use it? Are we using technology just to use technology or is there an underlying⁷ reason behind it?"

Experienced teachers know what works in the classroom and how technology might support the learning goals and class environment, he says.

Words in This Story

mobile - adj. able to be moved; movable

address - n. a place where someone or something can be reached

quiz - n. a short test

infographic - n. a sign or image representing information or knowledge

scan - v. to use a machine or device to read or copy something into a computer

error - n. something that is not correct; a wrong action or statement

flashcard - n. a learning tool with words, numbers or pictures

engage - v. to give serious attention to something

boil down to (something) - expression. to be reduced to its main points

1 noted   

adj.著名的，知名的

参考例句：

• The local hotel is noted for its good table.当地的那家酒店以餐食精美而著称。
• Jim is noted for arriving late for work.吉姆上班迟到出了名。

2 instructors   

指导者，教师( instructor的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• The instructors were slacking on the job. 教员们对工作松松垮垮。
• He was invited to sit on the rostrum as a representative of extramural instructors. 他以校外辅导员身份，被邀请到主席台上。

3 actively   

adv.积极地，勤奋地

参考例句：

• During this period all the students were actively participating.在这节课中所有的学生都积极参加。
• We are actively intervening to settle a quarrel.我们正在积极调解争执。

4 participation   

n.参与，参加，分享

参考例句：

• Some of the magic tricks called for audience participation.有些魔术要求有观众的参与。
• The scheme aims to encourage increased participation in sporting activities.这个方案旨在鼓励大众更多地参与体育活动。

5 costly   

adj.昂贵的，价值高的，豪华的

参考例句：

• It must be very costly to keep up a house like this.维修这么一幢房子一定很昂贵。
• This dictionary is very useful,only it is a bit costly.这本词典很有用，左不过贵了些。

6 recordings   

n.记录( recording的名词复数 )；录音；录像；唱片

参考例句：

• a boxed set of original recordings 一套盒装原声录音带
• old jazz recordings reissued on CD 以激光唱片重新发行的老爵士乐

7 underlying   

adj.在下面的，含蓄的，潜在的

参考例句：

• The underlying theme of the novel is very serious.小说隐含的主题是十分严肃的。
• This word has its underlying meaning.这个单词有它潜在的含义。