Mobile-assisted language learning: Exploring student attitudes towards the use of mobile learning in English as a foreign language.
The important points Karen raised which helped me to reach this conclusion related to finding a realistic research topic and making it specific enough. As with all objectives Karen reminded us that a research topic should be SMART -
Specific
Measurable
Achievable
Realistic
Time-based
Whether or not a project idea is achievable remains to be seen but I think with careful planning all of the other points can be clarified before the project begins as follows:
Specific - this research project will examine the attitudes to mobile learning of undergraduate students of business and engineering degrees at the South Westphalia University of Applied Sciences. In particular, mobile learning techniques will be implemented to aid in the learning of English grammar and vocabulary for second semester students attending the Business English: Professional and Professional English: Engineering modules.
Measurable - Rather than using a statistical measure, such as exam results, to quantify the success of these mobile learning measures, student attitudes will be collected through the use of semi-structured interviews. As there are so many variables at play duing exams it is felt that any differences in performance cannot be reliably ascribed to a change in teaching technology. Student feedback on their feelings regarding the mobile-assisted language learning can however easily be recorded.
Realistic & time-based - A three-month period, from January to the end of March 2013 will be assigned to the development of the tools for use in this study. In the following summer semester, from April to mid-July students will be surveyed and interviewed. As there are no additional financial resources available for this study all of the material created will be made using existing commercial tools or open-source or free tools. This approach will also mean that it is easier for others to attempt to emulate the research afterwards if they so wish. This hopefully means that a realistic base for the study is established.
The next step is to conduct a literature review to establish a base for my project.
Specific - this research project will examine the attitudes to mobile learning of undergraduate students of business and engineering degrees at the South Westphalia University of Applied Sciences. In particular, mobile learning techniques will be implemented to aid in the learning of English grammar and vocabulary for second semester students attending the Business English: Professional and Professional English: Engineering modules.
Measurable - Rather than using a statistical measure, such as exam results, to quantify the success of these mobile learning measures, student attitudes will be collected through the use of semi-structured interviews. As there are so many variables at play duing exams it is felt that any differences in performance cannot be reliably ascribed to a change in teaching technology. Student feedback on their feelings regarding the mobile-assisted language learning can however easily be recorded.
Realistic & time-based - A three-month period, from January to the end of March 2013 will be assigned to the development of the tools for use in this study. In the following summer semester, from April to mid-July students will be surveyed and interviewed. As there are no additional financial resources available for this study all of the material created will be made using existing commercial tools or open-source or free tools. This approach will also mean that it is easier for others to attempt to emulate the research afterwards if they so wish. This hopefully means that a realistic base for the study is established.
The next step is to conduct a literature review to establish a base for my project.
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