基于智能手机的英语词汇学习研究

An empirical study on

smartphone-based learning of English vocabulary

By

Cai Xiaoxiao

Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements

For the Degree of Bachelor of Arts

Department of English

School of Languages and Cultures

Nanjing University of Information Science amp; Technology

January, 2016

Acknowledgement

First of all, I want to extend my deepest gratitude to my supervisor Mr. Lu Huaguo for his assistance and valuable suggestions in the academic studies. In the preparation, implementation as well as conclusion of the paper, he has spent large amounts of time reading through each draft and provided me with valuable advice. This paper would not have been accomplished without his patient instruction and expert guidance.

I would also like to express my gratitude to my family who have been supporting and taking care of me and sharing my weal and woe. I feel very indebted to them and owe the achievement to them.

An empirical study on smartphone-based learning of English vocabulary

Cai Xiaoxiao

Department of English

School of Languages and Cultures

Nanjing University of Information Science amp; Technology

Abstract：Smartphone, as a newly emerged carrier of English vocabulary learning APP, is becoming ubiquitous especially among the group of college students and the smartphone-based mobile learning theory is gradually being well known. This study aims to explore the design concept and the features of the mobile learning system. Our purpose is to understand the status quo of the mobile learning applied in students’ learning process and to find out some problems involved in the mobile learning system. Results show that the English learning APPs we have in mobile market are not satisfying enough to meet the learner’s need of comprehensive language learning. Besides, most students are more accustomed to intensive learning than fragmented learning. Many software developers take into account the characteristics of studying, memory and visual sense of users; however, they seldom incorporate these aspects together to upgrade their products. In view of these findings, we put forward several suggestions to address these problems accordingly, hopefully providing some useful references for the development and innovation of this system.

Key words: smartphone; mobile learning; college students

摘 要

作为新兴的英语词汇学习软件载体，智能手机越来越普遍，尤其是在大学生这样的群体中越来越受欢迎，基于这一载体中的移动学习理念也逐渐被人们所熟知。本调查旨在探究移动学习系统的设计理念和特点，目标是了解大学生学习过程中的移动学习应用现状并且找出移动学习系统中存在的问题。调查结果显示移动市场中英语学习软件并不让人满意，难以满足学习者全面的语言学习需要。此外，大多数学生更习惯于集中式学习，而不太习惯于碎片化学习。许多软件开发者考虑到了用户的学习特点、记忆特点以及视觉呈现等特点，但研究发现很少有软件将这些方面综合考虑来提升他们的软件产品。鉴于这些调查结果，我们提出了相对应解决对策，以期为该系统的发展和革新提供有用的参考。

关键词: 智能手机；移动学习; 大学生

Contents

1. Introduction 1

1.1 Background 1

1.2 Research significance 2

1.3 Purpose 2

1.4 Research methods 3

1.4.1 Literature review 3

1.4.2 Questionnaire 4

1.4.3 Interview 4

2. Results and Analysis 5

2.1 Use of English dictionaries 5

2.2 Use of learning APPs used 6

2.3 Pros and cons of the mobile learning APPs 7

2.4 Students’ reception of mobile learning 8

3. Suggestions 9

3.1 Improving APPs 9

3.2 Updating search engine and information retrieval 10

3.3 Enhancing awareness of mobile and autonomous learning 11

4. Conclusion 13

References 14

1. Introduction

1.1 Background

With the advent of the era of mobile learning, smartphone, featuring powerful functions, high popularity and convenience to carry, has attracted much attention of the scholars and researchers at home and abroad. Mobile learning is regarded as an indispensable mode of learning in the future. Ding Gang (2008), professor of East China Normal University, argued that U-learning is an extension of the E-learning, to speak more accurately, is Mobile learning. The origins of the term E-Learning is not certain, although it is suggested that the term most likely originated in the 1980s. Alexzander Dye (2003) made a representative definition of mobile learning: mobile learning refers to a kind of learning that can occur at any time and any place with the help of mobile computing devices, which is expected to have the ability to effectively present learning content and provide a two-way communication between teachers and learners. In 2000, Desmond Keegan delivered a report in the 40th anniversary in Shanghai TV University that the distance learning can be divided into three stages, that is, distance learning, e-learning and mobile learning and he optimistically held that the three forms are transforming into today's university of distance education, network university and future university of mobile (Keegan D., 1990, 38(4)). Desmond’s report opened a new chapter for the mobile learning research in China. Currently, the research focuses on the analysis of the technological feasibility, the development of the systemic terminal software and theoretical research. However, the domestic application for the mobile learning theory still has many problems such as unstable learning system, poor capability to operate, and inadequate resource of courses, which show that the mobile learning still has vast space for development(任海峰,赵君,2010). As a new way of learning, Mobile learning has huge potential, but a lot of students has not yet adapted well to it and the mobile learning system based on smart phone still has some unsolved problems. On the whole, with the advent of the era of information technology, mobile learning based on smart phones is bound to provide a more personalized approach to learning.

1.2 Research significance

剩余内容已隐藏，请支付后下载全文，论文总字数：33500字