The Impact of Employing Mobile Technologies and PC for Learning Coursera On-line Lectures and TOEIC Practice Kit

Abstract

Learning today takes place at any time and at any place due to of the swift development of mobile technologies. E-mobile learning technologies such as the iPhone, iPad,podcasting, video-casting, and others, are rapidly gaining popularity as an effective way to improve foreign language skills around the world. Mobile technologies have also transformed learning methodologies (Vinu, Sherimon & Krishnan, 2011). One such methodology that has received great attention in recent years is blended learning (BL). BL combines traditional face-to-face classroom methods with computer-mediated activities, resulting in a more integrated approach for both instructors and learners. Mobile (M)-learning is motivating to learners to improve foreign language skills, as it offers a rich, informal, contextual, and ubiquitous learning environment. This study reports on the results of two empirical studies which incorporated both incorporating e-learning and m-learning, to determine if a blended-learning environment can improve the TOEIC and presentation skills of native Japanese undergraduate students. The goal of the first study was to examine the effectiveness of the blended and mobile learning activities on the students’ English language proficiency and oral communication skills. The second study focused on the use of an on-line TOEIC training kit in order to determine the effectiveness of the e-learning and m-learning activities.