Stockwell’s (2012) reply to Ballance’s (2012) commentary: An annotated bibliography

Source: Stockwell, G. (2012). Working with constraints in mobile learning: A response to Ballance.  Language Learning & Technology. 16 (3), 24-31. Retrieved from http://llt.msu.edu/issues/october2012/stockwell.pdf

In his online periodical article, Stockwell (2012) responds to Ballance’s (2012) claims by explaining not only the nature of the activities presented, but also the purpose of introducing Mobile-assisted Language Learning (MALL) outside the classroom. In order to back up his explanation, the author provides evidence from his previous articles to answer Ballance’s (2012) criticism pointing out relevant information, explaining that when selecting the activities, he considers students preferences, needs, particular reality and the learning environment.

Stockwell (2012) exposes the need to engage language learners in vocabulary activities and take advantage of dead time, highlighting the usefulness of this approach. He highlights that students would be utilizing an everyday device to learn vocabulary, and that the tasks could be completed, for instance when travelling. He also points out advantages of using the pre-smart phone platform since, contrary to Ballance’s (2012) conclusion, the majority of students are not smart-phone users and activities completion does not require high technology command.

Since foreign language students usually have limited opportunities to approach the target language only in the classroom, Stockwell (2012) reflects on these issues declaring that technology should be used wisely to maximize learning opportunities; he also points out that teachers should choose technologies available in the current environment or the ones that they can master. He defends his research in a trustworthy way, supporting his answers with significant extracts of his earlier works to explain himself.

References

Ballance, O.J. (2012). Mobile language learning: More than just “the platform”. Language Learning & Technolog. 16 (3), 21-23. Retrieved from  http://llt.msu.edu/issues/october2012/ballance.pdf

Stockwell, G. (2010). Using Mobile Phones for Vocabulary Activities: Examining the Effect of the Platform. Language Learning & Technology, 14(2), 95–110. Retrieved from http://llt.msu.edu/ vol14num2/stockwell.pdf