Thirteenth International Conference on e-Learning & Innovative Pedagogies

Abstract

Rapid advancement of mobile technology continues to change the landscape of blended learning in education. Mobile technology is increasingly being used to support blended learning beyond other devices which then lead to the introduction of mobile-blended learning. However, as far as English as a Second Language (ESL) learning is concerned, it is overly simplistic to assume that mobile-blended learning will uniformly benefit all ESL learners especially among the low proficiency learners. This paper reviews the challenges and constraints of mobile-blended learning among the low proficiency ESL learners focusing on the fostering of autonomous learning. It can be summarised that while learners autonomously explored a variety of mobile learning resources, the low proficiency ESL learners expressed a need for guidance through the vast amount of information, and wished for learning activities and materials to be organised around pedagogical tasks. This paper discusses the challenges and constraints in order to get better understanding about the critical issues in mobile-blended learning among the low proficiency ESL learners as well as suggesting suitable recommendations to improve the implementation of mobile-blended learning.