Session 1C
Title: Go with the flow - Mobile phones and virtual spaces in the ESL classroom

Abstract:
Many language teachers struggle to control students who use mobile phones in the classroom. In the age of digital nomads and with increasing developments in technology, it seems that this issue will only continue into the future. However, this is not all negative. The use of handheld devices such as smartphones, can transform learning and teaching processes by increasing learner autonomy, and empowering students to develop their language skills at their own pace (Kukulska-Hulme, 2010).

In this workshop, we’ll look at how to use virtual spaces, such as Padlet and Socrative, to create online shared spaces for learning and collaboration, while also integrating the use of mobile phones and other handheld devices into the classroom environment. This is a way to embrace students’ knowledge and love of technology, and utilise it in a way that benefits their learning.

Kukulska-Hulme, A. (2010). Mobile learning for quality education and social inclusion. Moscow:UNESCO IITI.

Bio
Lachlan Page is an English language teacher working at the Centre for English Language Teaching at the University of Sydney. He has previously taught English in Colombia and South Korea and is a passionate language learner himself. He is always on the lookout for new language learning technology and methods that can help him and his students in their language learning endeavors.