Abstract
This paper examines the perceptions of advantages of smart phones and tablets on basic and general English students' language learning, self-sufficiency, and interest using smart phones and tablets at an Iranian university college during one university term. Through a survey administered to 333 basic and general English students and through selective observations and interviews, the following questions were examined: 1) Students' perceived impact of smart phones and tablets on increasing their confidence throughout the course,2) Students’ perceived comfort/enjoyment with smart phones and tablets for the students at the beginning and end of the semester,3) Students' perceived impact of devices through a comparison between pre and post survey measures on improvement of reading comprehension, reading speed, vocabulary and spelling, motivation, and preparing them for class tests and quizzes. Tablets were evaluated more positively than smart phones by the students as a means to increase confidence. Both tablets and smart phones were evaluated positively, both as a means of improving students’ motivation to learn, and as a means to develop reading comprehension, spelling, and vocabulary. However, students’ expectations regarding the impact of such devices on their reading speed, preparation for tests and quizzes, as well as comfort and enjoyment were not met.
Highlights
Mobile devices are an integral part of our everyday lives as these devices include numerous electronic products, such as laptops, the new iPads, iPhones, iPods, Android phones and Android tablets
This paper examines the interplay of teaching and learning factors that lead to optimal use of technology-enhanced language learning as perceived by classroom participants during one semester in the context of Iran, where smart phones and tablets, in addition to the modern language Laboratories, are becoming increasingly popular despite sanctions
Education seeks to prepare the students to go into the world and the use of computer technology can be considered as a positive complement to bridge the gap between the world of education and the world of technology
Summary
Mobile devices are an integral part of our everyday lives as these devices include numerous electronic products, such as laptops, the new iPads, iPhones, iPods, Android phones and Android tablets. Every day we see more and more people with an iPhone, Android-based phone, or other smartphones. According to Gartner Research (2012), worldwide smartphone sales reached 472 million units in 2011, which is a 58 percent increase over 2010. Smart phones are growing in popularity and changing the way we live our lives. We no longer memorize phone numbers because we carry a phonebook in our pockets. We rarely ask for driving directions because smart phones include GPS with maps. We are connected 24/7 through email, text messaging, and even video chat. Smartphones provide instant access to information wherever we go
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