Overview
I'm experimenting with the use of mobile phones in listening lessons. The overall aim is to make some stages onf 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 lesson stage is appropriate, they can individually take control over the listening on their mobiles.
- 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 wih giving students an answer key and having them self-correct/self-diagnose problems by listening again on mobiles
Rationale
- I would hope that the technique increases agency, responsibilty, 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's difficultires and therefore allows for a more effective diagnosis of their listening problems
Evaluation and Future 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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