Outline: Ballance’s (2012) Commentary on Stockwell’s (2010) Research on Mobile-Assisted language Learning

Purpose: To share Ballance’s (2012) commentary on Stockwell’s (2010) research on Mobile-assisted Language Learning (as cited in Ballance, 2012)

Thesis Statement: Although Stockwell’s (2010) research is an attempt to exploit technological developments for language learning, Ballance (2012) disagrees with the quality and relevance of the data gathered and their implications.

Audience: Teachers and researchers interested in technological developments

I. Reasons for disagreement

          A. The speed of technological innovation in the area

          B. More care to be taken in research as regards platform layout characteristics   

II. Computer Assisted Language Learning (CALL)

          A. Early programs

                    1. Roots in the Audio-lingual Method

                    2. Alternative platforms for the delivery of pen and paper activities

III. Rise of the Internet

          A. Recent Research on Computer Assisted Language Learning (CALL)

                    1. Focus

                              a- learner autonomy 

                              b- distance learning

IV. CALL literature

          A. The potentials of Mobile Assisted Language Learning (MALL)

                    1. Flexibility

          B. Pace of technological innovation

                    1. Negative effects on research

                              a. Outdated quality

V. Stockwell’s (2010) research (as cited in Ballance, 2012)

          A. Time spent on research

          B. Use of pre-smart phones

          C. Possible problems addressed by Stockwell (2010)

                     1. Internet access costs

                     2. Scrolling time

                     3. Small screens and keypads

          D. Description of the activity-system in Stockwell ’s (2010) research to collect data.

                     1. Limitations posed by Stockwell (2010)

                     2. Stockwell’s (2010) unclear  assumptions about the potential of the Mobile

                         Assisted Language Learning (MALL) platform.

VI. Conclusion

          A. Recent Mobile Assisted Language Learning (MALL) technological advances

                     1. App-based activities

          B. Effects of the environment on use

          C. Stockwell’s ( 2010) hypothesis about “dead time”

          D. Limitations of Stockwell’s (2010) research in terms of scope

          E.  Unanswered question by Stockwell ’s (2010) research (as cited in Ballance, 2012)

References

Ballance, J. (2012). Mobile Language Learning: More than just the platform. Language Learning & Technology, 14 (3), 21-23. University of Nottingham Ningbo, China. Retrieved October 2012, from

http://llt.msu.edu/issues/october2012/ballance.pdf