1. How Can
Mobile Devices
Be Used In ESL
Instruction?
Jillian Whetstone
ESL 509
7-12-13

2. WHAT ARE MOBILE DEVICES?
 Small handheld computing devices with a
variety of features and capabilities
including internet access, mobile apps,
camera, video, Bluetooth, and more.
Type of Device Examples
Smart Phones iPhone, Android, Blackberry, Windows
Tablets iPad, Samsung Galaxy, Kindle Fire, Asus
Transformer, Microsoft Surface, Google Nexus
E-Readers Kindle, Nook, Kobo, Sony

3. HOW CAN MOBILE DEVICES BE
USED IN SCHOOL?
Podcasts, Blogs Virtual Learning
Reading, Writing,
Speaking,
Listening Practice
Games to
Reinforce Skills
Individualized
Lessons
WebQuests

4. BENEFITS TO USING MOBILE
DEVICES IN THE CLASSROOM
Portability and ease of use
Increases student engagement and motivation
Provides a rich and more expansive learning environment
Enhances student learning processes, especially writing
Helps students stay organized

5. TESTIMONIES TO THE BENEFITS
OF MOBILE DEVICES
A study showed handheld computers affect
student learning positively across curricular
topics and instructional activities (Swan, van „t
Hooft, Kratcoski, and Unger, 2005).
 Ipad Use in Chicago Schools
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EV8M6P9st
9Q&list=PL74D1AC3D981D392A
 Ipod Use in Baltimore County Elementary
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GKvi4ERs4_
Y&list=PL74D1AC3D981D392A&index=1

6. CHALLENGES IN USING MOBILE
DEVICES IN THE CLASSROOM
Technical
Difficulties
• Programs
freezing
• Internet
access
• Difficulty
recharging
Frustrations
• Small
screen size
• Losing
work
Access To
Devices
• Bring your
own
device
policies
• Not all
students
have
devices

7. CHALLENGES CONTINUED…
 Using mobile devices in the classroom takes
planning and work
 Time needs to be spent determining the most
effect ways to use mobile devices
 If used incorrectly, mobile devices will act as
no more than a babysitter
 “Other potential drawbacks include limited
nonverbal communications, limited message
lengths, a lack of cultural context, and
potential limited social interaction” (Chinnery,
2006).

8. AWESOME IPHONE/IPAD APPS!
 Vocabulary: Kids‟ Vocab – Mind Snacks
 Grammar: Grammaropolis
 US History: Ansel and Clair: Paul Revere‟s
Ride
 Figurative Language: Kidioms
 Writing/Storytelling: Story Patch
 Lets look at each one a little bit closer…

9. Kids‟ Vocab- Mind Snacks
 This app focuses on vocabulary acquisition
 Appropriate for upper elementary learners
 Teaches topic related words and definitions
 Includes a variety of games for vocab
practice

10. Grammaropolis
 This app focuses on parts of speech
 Each part of speech has character and
town
 Learners work their way across the towns
through songs, videos, books and quizzes

11. Ansel and Clair: Paul
Revere‟s Ride
 This is a narrative app of the American
Revolution.
 Students watch, listen, read, and travel through
the events of 1775 America
 Appropriate for upper elementary grades

12. Kidioms
 This app is appropriate for grades3-5
 Focuses on the meaning of idioms
 Idioms are presented with graphics
 Students play games to reinforce concepts

13. Story Patch
 This app teaches storytelling
 Photos can be uploaded or there are
over 800 pictures in the library
 Allows students to create a book

14. Kids Say Yes to Mobile Devices
 2,350 Students were polled in a Student
Mobile Device Survey for Pearson
 92% of students feel mobile devices will
change the future of learning
 90% say mobile devices make learning more
fun
 69% want more mobile devices in school
 Elementary and middle school students
expressed more interest in mobile devices
than high school and college students
 In grades 4-12, tablets were used equally
across all content areas

15. CONCLUDING THOUGHTS
 The benefits of technology and mobile
devices outweigh the challenges
 ESL students can really benefit from
technology in the classroom because there
are so many programs and apps that support
all aspects of language development
“Technology in itself won‟t make the difference;
it‟s what students do with it that does” (Swan,
van „t Hooft, Kratcoski, & Unger, 2005).

16. References
Booker, E. (2013, May 6). Students want more mobile
devices in the classroom. Retrieved from
http://www.informationweek.com/education/mobility/stud
ents-want-more-mobile-devices-in-cla/240154188
Chinnery, G. M. (2006). Emerging technologies going to the
MALL: Mobile assisted language learning. Langauge
Learning and Technology, 10(1), 9-16.
Swan, K., van „t Hooft, M., Kratcoski, A., & Unger, D. (2005).
Uses and effects of mobile computing devices in k-8
classrooms. Journal of Research on Technology in
Education, 38(1), 99-112.