Overview
I'm experimenting with the use of mobile phones in listening lessons. The overall aim is to make some stages of listening lessons more learner-centred/learner-directed.
Technique
- In an otherwise normal listening lesson, the technique involves sharing the lesson's audio/video with the students so that, at whichever stage is appropriate, they can individually take control of the listening on their mobile devices.
- I'm experimenting with different orders for the 'mobile listening' vs 'PC listening' stages, e.g. gist listening with the PC, followed by detailed listening on mobiles
- I've also experimented with giving students an answer key and having them self-correct/self-diagnose problems by listening again on their mobile devices.
Rationale
- I would hope that the technique increases agency, responsibility, motivation, differentiation (as students work at their own pace and on their own problems) and memorability (if students self-correct)
- It seems to allow a more in-depth discussion of individual students' difficulties and therefore allows for a more effective diagnosis of their listening problems
Evaluation and plans
I'm informally experimenting with the technique at the moment to see, subjectively, how/when/where it seems to be most effective. I'll consider formalising this a little more, perhaps in some action research, at some point in the future.
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