Korišćenje mobilnih aplikacija u nastavnom procesu učenja stranih jezika na tercijarnom obrazovnom nivou

Abstract

Modern devices with many diverse applications have significantly raised interest in the concept of mobile or m-learning. The standard features of mobile phones include access to the Internet and therefore an unlimited access to educational material at any place and at any time. This paper presents the research conducted to examine students' attitudes about the advantages and disadvantages of using mobile language learning applications. The paper offers a description of the research methodology, data processing, and the interpretation of the results. In order to obtain the data, an anonymous survey was conducted, which was compiled by the authors for the research purposes and distributed to students via email. Apart from the quantitative part, a qualitative research, in the form of a focus group, was conducted as well to provide a clearer picture of students' habits when using mobile applications for foreign language learning. The research showed that the greatest advantage of using mobile applications is their availability at any place and at any time, as well as the fact that such applications are mostly free of charge and their use does not require additional costs for students/their families. On the other hand, the biggest disadvantages relate to the offered grammar exercises, which, according to the respondents, are not good enough. This research unequivocally confirmed that mobile applications for foreign language learning are very popular among the student population, but also that students' interest in this type of learning is not exploited enough. One of the recommendations is that different applications, depending on students' abilities and lesson goals, should be integrated in the teaching process and should serve as an addition to the planned curriculum, actively contributing to the quality and diversity of teaching.