The Application of English Mobile Learning Platform in College Students’ Autonomous Study

Fang+Jiawen++He+Yujie++Zhou+Jian

【Abstract】English M-learning， through various platforms， as a new way of learning has been popular among college students， which can not only break the limitation of time and space， but also urge students have a good habit of autonomous learning. Nevertheless， there are some defects of these platforms. This article puts forward the specific idea and strategies about how to apply the English M-learning platforms to improve college students autonomous study efficiently.

【Key words】M-learning； autonomous study； platform； strategy

1. Introduction

Currently， students spend most of time in studying English but have no remarkable results. In the classroom， a teachers lecture accounts for most of the time and students have little time to produce their own ideas. Many teachers pay little attention to create good class atmosphere. Some teachers attach more importance to the grade of students. Students have no right to choose the right teacher whose teaching method is suitable for them.

2. The Features of English M-Learning

M-Learning is a way of learning to offer learning resources for teachers and students at any place and any time. Thanks to the advanced communication technology， the channels of communication between teachers and students are more and more various； meanwhile， the frequency of interaction between teachers and students is greatly promoted. As the widely spread of wireless network， students can learn English anywhere. As the result of the portability of mobile devices， M-learners can choose the appropriate time and occasion to learn English by themselves. Different from the traditional learning method， students can make a choice on their learning resources and learning progress according to their knowledge level. After all， English is a very flexible subject， it is important to let students choose the learning method which is suitable for them.

3. The Main Modes of English M-Learning Platform

A lot of apps designed especially for the autonomous study of college students rich in resources and are easily operated. We Chat has gradually been applied to M-Learning， which helps students to learn a wide range of knowledge and make full use of their fragmented time. Twitter users are able to update information at any time and any place as well as acquire new information at the first moment. The MOOC includes very abundant courses. The content of English courses mainly includes linguistic knowledge of English， the ability of application and intercultural communication and learning strategy.

4. The Defects of English M-Learning

M-Learning is a kind of learning method that closely depends on electricity and net. Now， the net system in universities is not well organized， students still have some difficulties in acquiring their learning resources with high efficiency.

In the face of vast array of learning resources， students are likely to have a feeling of confusion. Moreover， most of the resources are lack of authority.

M-Learning is a spontaneous learning behavior without supervision from teachers. For those students without self-control， they usually choose the content at random and make no rational arrangement for their learning task， so their learning process always stays in the primary stage.

5. Strategies on the Application of English M-learning Platform

It is important to strengthen the cooperation among university， communications sector and government to build up high quality wireless M-Learning system.

The fundamental purpose of time management is to achieve M-Learning by self-monitoring. It is necessary to make a rough plan for the bits and pieces of time every day. College students should be good at using functions of mobile equipment like this to manage the time on M-Learning.

It is necessary for students to master correct methods of managing resources on internet， such as storing the commonly used page in Web Favorites， downloading the useful resources timely and making screening and categorization for valuable information.

6. Conclusion

“Fully autonomous learners can only be an ideal， but can not be a reality.”（Nunan， 1997：192） Though English M-Learning can somehow motivate students enthusiasm on autonomous study， teachers should give students appropriate guidance in the process of implementation of English M-Learning. If teachers check the condition of students learning tasks regularly and give feedback and praise at the right time， it would greatly promote the internalization of knowledge on English M-Learning. “As a teacher， there are many things to rebuild， such as knowledge level， educational concept， teaching ability， education act and strategy as well as career aspiration etc.”（Durrant & Holden，2006， Fullan，1992）

References：

[1]Durrant，J.&Holden，G.（2006）.Teachers Leading Change：Doing Research for School Improvement[J].London：Paul Chapman Publishing.

*本文是武漢東湖學院大學生創新創業項目“‘微時代大學生學習模式現狀調查及移動英語學習交流平臺的創建”

（項目編號201411798011）的部分成果，指導老師周健。