Mobile Learning: A Pedagogical Framework to Facilitate Distributed Learning through Collaborative Approach for Enhancing English Language Communication Skills

Abstract

Learning English is an important and challenging task for most of the Indian students. Though there are several works in mobile assisted language learning (MELL), yet in the Indian scenario, very little published research attempts exist to categorize and specify instructional design guidelines for MELL as part of the regular curricula. In this paper we attempt to address the gap. We report the first phase of our project where (1) we discuss the design and implementation of a Mobile-Web learning platform. The Mobile-Web interfaces for this system follow the REST architectural pattern, and it is available for use. (2) We illustrate how outcome-based instructional design (ID) may be fashioned for distributed learning, and finally (3) we justify how a mobile-web platform can act as a companion to the traditional classroom and supplement learning. We adopt the Transactional Distance (TD) theory as the foundational model and identify effective Engaged Pedagogy in order to reduce the transactional distance. The work reported here is being carried out at the department of Humanities & Sciences, VNR VJIET, Hyderabad, India.