Jantjies, Mmaki and Joy, Mike (2013) Mobile learning through indigenous languages : learning through a constructivist approach. In: 12th World Conference on Mobile and Contextual Learning (mLearn 2013), Doha, Qatar, 22-24 Oct 2013. Published in: 12th World Conference on Mobile and Contextual Learning (mLearn 2013), Volume 2013 (Article number 14). (Unpublished)

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Abstract

An increase in accessible electronic pedagogy available in African languages is vital in extending learning resources to resource constrained schools and multilingual communities. The lack of appropriate mobile and electronic resources in these contexts often limits learners from participating in the digital age and discovering knowledge through technology. South Africa, used as the context for this study, has eleven official languages and promotes their use for education in schools. There are however limited bilingual resources that support bilingual education. The different challenges, such as the limited resources that enable an effective learning environment, often make it difficult for teachers to create new learning environments that embrace technology in classrooms. This paper presents a case study that evaluates the potential use of mobile learning to support the current informal learning process for resource constrained multilingual high school learners. In the study learners created their own audio based bilingual learning material on mobile phones using a constructivist learning approach, in the subject area of physical science. A total of 32 high school learners and their teacher from a South African school participated in the study, and though semi–structured interviews and questionnaires learners reported on their experiences. Infrastructure challenges, including limited access to free electronic resources, and slow and expensive Internet access, became the main hurdles in supporting a constructivist learning environment. The mobile learning process however gave learners an opportunity to create their learning content in their own languages at any location at any time, and use the content later for revision.

Item Type:	Conference Item (Paper)
Subjects:	L Education > LB Theory and practice of education Q Science > QA Mathematics > QA76 Electronic computers. Computer science. Computer software
Divisions:	Faculty of Science > Computer Science
Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH):	Mobile communication systems in education -- South Africa, Computer-assisted instruction -- South Africa, Constructivism (Education), Language and languages -- Study and teaching -- South Africa
Journal or Publication Title:	12th World Conference on Mobile and Contextual Learning (mLearn 2013)
Publisher:	QScience Proceedings
Official Date:	3 October 2013
Dates:	Date Event 3 October 2013 Published
Volume:	Volume 2013
Number:	Article number 14
Status:	Peer Reviewed
Publication Status:	Unpublished
Access rights to Published version:	Open Access
Funder:	National Research Foundation (South Africa) (NRF)
Conference Paper Type:	Paper
Title of Event:	12th World Conference on Mobile and Contextual Learning (mLearn 2013)
Type of Event:	Conference
Location of Event:	Doha, Qatar
Date(s) of Event:	22-24 Oct 2013

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