Mobile English language learning: a systematic review of group size, duration, and assessment methods

Abstract

Technology-mediated learning has become a valuable tool, especially in the English language classroom. Nowadays, mobile learning is considered a significant educational tool for promoting education among learners. Several recent studies have attempted to examine different aspects of mobile learning. The size of the experimental group, and the duration and suitability of the assessment methods are important aspects in designing experimental studies in the context of mobile English language learning. Yet, very few studies have paid attention to these aspects. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the utilisation of state-of-the-art mobile technology in English language learning, especially in terms of the size of the experimental groups, and the duration and suitability of the assessment methods. Following a systematic review protocol, 151 articles published between 2010 and 2017 were selected for analysis. Furthermore, this study considered, separately, three factors addressed in the reviewed studies: language acquisition problems, types of participants, and targeted English skills. The findings showed that the group size and study duration significantly differed among the studies based on the above factors. Questionnaires and tests were found to be the most common methods of assessment for each factor, whether used separately or in combination. The results of this review can assist in the formulation of experimental designs to mitigate the challenges and facilitate the effective use of mobile learning in English language learning.

Keywords:

• Assessment and evaluation
• experimental design
• mobile English language learning
• quantitative and qualitative methods

Acknowledgements

We would like to acknowledge Dr. Ahmed M. Al-Haiqi (Universiti Tenaga Nasional) for his assistance in formatting and editing the manuscript.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Monther M. Elaish

Monther M. Elaish teaches in the Computer Science Department, University of Benghazi. He graduated in BCS from Omar Al-Mukhtar University, Libya, MIT (Information Technology) from Universiti Utara Malaysia and his PhD from University of Malaya, Malaysia. His research interests include mobile learning, MALL, Persuasive Technology, and educational technology.

Liyana Shuib

Liyana Shuib teaches in the Information Systems Department at the University of Malaya. She graduated in BCS (Information System) from Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, MIT (Information Technology) from Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, and obtained her PhD from University of Malaya, Malaysia. Her research interests include recommender systems, data mining, artificial intelligence application, and educational technology.

Gwo-Jen Hwang

Gwo-Jen Hwang is currently a Chair Professor at the National Taiwan University of Science and Technology. His research interests include mobile and ubiquitous learning, flipped learning, digital game-based learning, and artificial intelligence in education. Dr. Hwang has published more than 700 academic papers. Among those publications, more than 200 papers are published in SSCI journals. Owing to the reputation in academic research and innovative inventions in e-learning, he received the annual most Outstanding Researcher Award from the National Science Council of Taiwan in the years of 2007, 2010 and 2013.

Norjihan Abdul Ghani

Norjihan Abdul Ghani teaches in the Information Systems Department, University of Malaya. She graduated with BIT from Universiti Utara Malaysia, MIT (Information Technology) from Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, and she obtained her PhD from Universiti Teknologi Malaysia. Her research interests include database (database security & privacy), digital image processing system (Image Retrieval), data security (information security and privacy), information system security, authentication system (access control), database security (access control), and data security (personal data collection).

Elaheh Yadegaridehkordi

Elaheh Yadegaridehkordi currently attaches to the Information and Communications Technology Research Center, Amirkabir University of Technology, Tehran, Iran. Her research interests include big data analytics, tourism management, cloud computing, mobile learning, and recommendation systems. Her contributions have been published in prestigious journals and international conferences. Contact: Information and Communications Technology Research Center, Amirkabir University of Technology, Tehran, Iran.

Siti Zaidah Zainuddin

Siti Zaidah Zainuddin is a Senior Lecturer in the Department of English Language, Faculty of Languages and Linguistics, University of Malaya. Her primary research interests lie in discourse studies particularly genre analysis in both written and spoken academic discourse as well as corpus linguistics. Her publications address academic discourse analysis and writing by second language speakers.