AN AWARENESS OF MOBILE APPS IN ENRICHING ORATORY SKILLS AMONG STUDENTS AT UNDERGRADUATE LEVEL - gradiva review JOURNAL
←
→
Page content transcription
If your browser does not render page correctly, please read the page content below
GRADIVA REVIEW JOURNAL ISSN NO : 0363-8057 AN AWARENESS OF MOBILE APPS IN ENRICHING ORATORY SKILLS AMONG STUDENTS AT UNDERGRADUATE LEVEL Author’s Affiliation Mrs.Md.Roshan Jameer Associate Professor Avinash Commerce of College Hyderabad ABSTRACT: Human relations exist through communication, which is the Principal mechanism. To explain and comprehend the different behaviors and phenomena of communications, several theories are put forth. Human communication has transfigured or restructured in many forms. Initially humans communicated with symbols, speech, writing, painting, music and songs. Radical changes took place with mobile communication to recent times with mobile communication and technology. Refinement took place in social and cultural areas. So, as the language used to connect has also grown and prospered not only on this planet earth, but also able to stretch to space through continuous development in communication technology. The study is based on discussions and interactions in the form of personal interviews, specific speaking activities like Group discussions to assess their ability to enhance speaking skills after using mobile assisted learning like m-apps. The initial stages of an M- learning tool are time- consuming as the students find an alien culture of learning to be adopted. This study has tried to explore the possible benefits of m-apps in improving students’ oratory skills. Summing up, Technology based Mobile learning and teaching tools may be a boon to curriculum only if it doesn’t ruin the chief objective of the education process. Keywords: Human communication, Technology, Mobile application, speaking or oratory skills, curriculum. 1.INTRODUCTION Human relations exist through communication, which is the Principal mechanism. The ‘term’ communication, which is derived from Latin word “communicator” which means to share or to make common. To explain and comprehend the different behaviors and phenomena of communications, several theories are put forth. To produce the required outcome some purposeful or sensible communication is needed. The characteristic feature which separates humans from the rest of the living species is meaningful talk i.e. nothing but “communication. “Communication forms a special or unique bonding between two or more participants. Different forms of communication prevail while expressing one’s emotions. Human communication has transfigured or restructured in many forms. Initially humans communicated with symbols, speech, writing, painting, music and songs. Radical changes took place with mobile communication to recent times with mobile communication and technology. VOLUME 8 ISSUE 4 2022 PAGE NO: 200
GRADIVA REVIEW JOURNAL ISSN NO : 0363-8057 In olden days, humans used typical methods to pass the message like making loud drum sounds to alert about the coming danger, in the thick jungle. Sending pigeons as messengers to remote places. Signaled through smoke which is interpreted by the distant observers as a warning sign. During war time- signals are sent through flags and lights. Therefore, humans cannot deny the fact that in every stage of one’s life, one has to connect and communicate with the rest of the fellow beings, without which they cannot survive. So, communication becomes indispensable and ineradicable in human life. According to Person and Nelson (2000) “Communication is defined as the process of understanding and sharing meaning.” “Communication leads to community, that is, to understanding, intimacy and mutual valuing.’ -Rollo May Fig:1.1. Process of communication Refinement took place in social and cultural areas. So, as the language used to connect has also grown and prospered not only on this planet earth, but also able to stretch to space through continuous development in communication technology. At present, there are no impediments or barriers in communication like space, time and distance. Time has changed, requirements are altered in different forms. More challenges are yet to be experienced. And this can be attained only when we adopt new technology. Today’s scenario is entirely different from the older ones. But the need to communicate with others remains the same. Methods and modes of communication have altered but motto and purpose still remains unaltered. Any kind of language used to communicate is no doubt an essential thing: its chief purpose is as a tool to transform the information. History of language study dates back to many million years. Today around 5000 languages are spoken in the entire world. But only a few are grouped by the scholars. The most popular group of languages used since 3000 BC is Indo- European. Half of the world’s population speaks this language. During the late 20 century, th there was an urgent need for a global language for practical purposes. Which would meet the requirement of the mass international public? English language became the ‘Lingua Franca’ or linking language to all the domains such computing, trading, commerce, business, shipping, medicine, engineering etc. Various scientists, discoveries, researches strived hard to design the different modes and methods of teaching and learning English language in the field of education. 2.REVIEW OF LITERATURE VOLUME 8 ISSUE 4 2022 PAGE NO: 201
GRADIVA REVIEW JOURNAL ISSN NO : 0363-8057 Language Acquisition: Chomsky’s theory of language acquisition is based on the idea that all languages contain similar structures and rules and the fact that children everywhere acquire language the same way, and without much effort, seems to indicate that we’re born wired with the basics already present in our brains. Adam Szczegielniak defines language acquisition as: Language is extremely complex, yet children learn most of the grammar of their native language before they are five years old. Language Learning: Agnes Kukulska-Hulme(The Open University,UK) in language learning defined by time and place:A framework for next generation designs says that: Language learning is changing in mobile technology- rich landscape and under the influence of new learner practices stemming from personal perceptive are the best places for learning and utilising the available time. Dictionaries of present English “Nelson Mandela says”: “If you talk to a man in a language he understands, that goes to his head, if you talk to him in his language that goes to his heart……” Frank Smith defines….. “Language is not a genetic gift, it is a social gift, learning a new language is becoming a member of the club- the community of speakers of that language. John Holt: “Learning is not the product of teaching. Learning is the product of the activity of learners. Process of Language Learning: Language learning is lifelong and dynamic which prevails from birth to death of an individual. In order to strive on this planet earth, students develop or acquire language learning in order to communicate their emotions and build healthy relationships at the workplace and family relationship. Mastery over language learning should yield some delightful experience for accomplishing the desired set of goals. Different strategies are proposed by scholars on LLS(Language Learning Strategies) ; one such study by Kamurul Shukri Mat The (University Sultan Zainal Abidin/UnisZA) states that learning strategies can either be an action or a mental activity or both. VOLUME 8 ISSUE 4 2022 PAGE NO: 202
GRADIVA REVIEW JOURNAL ISSN NO : 0363-8057 The main motto of language learning is to enable proficiency and efficacy among the target audience. Purpura(1997) defined LLs as conscious or unconscious mental or behavioural activity that relate directly or indirectly to specific stages in the process of second language acquisition. Nisbet(1986) stated that LLS is always purposeful and goal –oriented, but perhaps not always carried out at a conscious or deliberate level. In the article, “The Natural Process of language learning” by E.V.Gatenby explains that every common child tries to learn language naturally in one's mother tongue with much ease. No artificial environment as such is created to acquire or learn the language. Various modes of learning and developing language exist, but the underlying concept of this adoption is to gain command over language. Eventually, learning should contribute to career enhancement or skill development. The zeal to acquire knowledge and apply in the real-time world should be of utmost concern during language learning. And parallel educators should show the path by constantly updating and adopting newness in the process of language learning. Language Teaching: Language Teaching equips or facilitates the learner with creative thinking, life skills, memory sharpening techniques and also builds spatial abilities language facilitators should possess scientific appeal and linguistic proficiency to reach the psychological standards of the learners group. George Crane says: “Language is the apparel in which your thoughts parade before the public. According to………: In the last five decades, English Language Teaching has switched to its primary function. Mainly from the native language of nations USA OR UK to global language. Number of theories on language acquisition and teaching methodologies are introduced in English language teaching like Theories of language acquisition: Krashen(1982) says: Intuitive acquisition: we learn another language the same way as we learnt our first: intuitive acquisition through lots of exposure to the language in authentic communicative situations. Based on the depiction/supposition of skinner (1957) Habit formation: Language is a set of habits: we mimic and memorize and drill the patterns of the language until we learn to produce the correct forms automatically. Chomsky defines (1957): VOLUME 8 ISSUE 4 2022 PAGE NO: 203
GRADIVA REVIEW JOURNAL ISSN NO : 0363-8057 Language involves understanding of underlying rules: if we master the rules, we will be able to produce the correct forms automatically. Johnson (1996) interprets that skill learning: language is a skill. We learn it in school. We understand and practise them until we master them and use them fluently and skilfully. All the above theories interpreted by the above authors are true to some extent. But these ideas can be applicable only when language teaching approaches and methodologies are executed in the best way they can. In reality, any approach or methodologies should provide ample opportunities to the target group by enriching accuracy and fluency in language teaching. Benefits of Technology in English Language Learning in present educational system: Sadia Afrin Shorna, Assistant Professor, Bangladesh and Iffat Jahan Suchona, Lecturer, Department of English, University of English, University of Asia Pacific, Dhaka in their IOSR Journal Of Humanities And Social Science (IOAR-JHSS) about “Use of Mobile Apps to Improve English Language Skills Outside the Bangladeshi University Classrooms ,” have discovered that how mobile apps are certainly functional for self-motivated students to fulfill their language needs. It was observed that substantial amount of Bangladesh people use smart phones and mobile applications to develop their language proficiency outside the classroom context, mobile apps can be useful tool in this in a gadget-centered era. In the journal “Using Mobile Devices for Improving Learning Outcomes and Teachers’ Professionalization,” in December,2019 by Inmaculada Garcia-Martinez, Department of Pedagogy, University of Jaen, Jaen, Spain, Jose Maria Fernandez –Batanero, Dept. of Didactics and School Organization, David Cobos Sanchiz, Dept of Education and Social Psychology, University of Seville, Spain and Antonio Luque de la Rosa, Dept. of Education, University of Almeria, Spain have discussed that “Using inclusion and exclusion criteria in the Web of Science and Scopus databases, 16 articles were selected to argue why Mobile learning has become a modern innovative approach. They elucidated that mobile apps has improved the students’ learning process effectively.” Now-a-days, mobile technology has become part and parcel of youngsters. Life, hardly one can see youth without smart phones. Utilisation of mobile technology in one’s professional and personal life has become mandatory. Language learning apps support the present educational system to the core. Azadeh Rezaei, Neo Mai, Ahmed Pesaranghader, Multimedia University (MMU), Jalan Multimedia, Cyberjaya, Malayssia in their article “The Effect Of Mobile Applications on English Vocabulary Acquisition”, in January 2014 have stated that “Wide usage of Interactive Multimedia in the form of Mobile Apps has great avenue for the communication and education. They also proved that students could enhance learning of vocabulary, confidence, class participation and they responded positively towards the use of multimedia in education.” VOLUME 8 ISSUE 4 2022 PAGE NO: 204
GRADIVA REVIEW JOURNAL ISSN NO : 0363-8057 Mobile technology and mobile apps are requisite parts of the learning process. This mode of learning is known as mobile learning (m-learning easy. The specific features of m-learning, like self-reliant, independent of time, customized cum personal access, ubiquity, handy/compactness make m-learning easy. M-learning gives learners scope to use it 24/7 actively without any barrier. MALL is a subdivision of CALL and this led to another advancement in technology, with the acronym SPALL (Smartphone Assisted Language Learning) suggested by Leis et al. W.Kusumaryani, Dept. of English Education, University Pendelikon Indonesia, B.Musthafa and P. Purnawaraman, Dept. of English Education, University Borneo Tarakan, Utara Indonesia have observed in “The Influence of Mobile Applications on Students’ Speaking Skill and Critical Thinking in English Language Learning,” in 2018 “ International Conference of Computer and Informatics Engineering,” that “Mobile Apps used as learning assistance positively optimized students’ speaking skill and critical thinking in English language learning . It was revealed that students’ were enthusiastic in exploring and practicing mobile learning applications although they got problem with unstable internet connection.” Because of its unique features, mobile applications are adopted, universally. It is also beneficial to acquire foreign language learning. Many researchers, like Jones, Edward and Reid, 2009, Miangah and Nezarat, 2012; Ono and Ishihara,2011, Wang, Shen, Novak and Pan, 2009) show a positive attitude towards Mobile learning. Technology helps to build a separate world of our own; a world where one can have choice towards time, place and phase of learning. With a variety of m-learning apps one can indulge and excel academic disciplines. Using mobile technology allows learners to think out of the box and nurture their passion by involving in different activities offered by it. Fusion of two or more activities, leads learners to cross the boundaries and attain proficiency in language learning. One can get rid of traditional barriers of academic disciplines and rise up to soaring heights by thinking beyond the usual line. Technology has become the medium of instruction. It has replaced communication and transformed the traditional way of interaction in humans, may it be personal or professional interaction. Mobile technology has revolutionized the educational system by its plethora of expanded features, for the learners, at various levels. The specialized tools which are gifted to learners with the technological enhancement made a milestone. Further research in this mobile-technology would be definitely an added advantage, which users are bestowed with. Learner’s aspiring for futuristic development can be best equipped with the realm of knowledge processed by mobile-technology. 3.RESEARCH METHODOLOGY The study is based on discussions and interactions in the form of personal interviews, specific speaking activities like Group discussions to assess their ability to enhance speaking skills after using mobile assisted learning like m-apps. VOLUME 8 ISSUE 4 2022 PAGE NO: 205
GRADIVA REVIEW JOURNAL ISSN NO : 0363-8057 This paper is based on primary and secondary data. The Primary data has been collected from the structured questionnaire administered among 200 undergraduate students across Hyderabad(Telangana) and a simple random method has been used to analyze the data. The secondary data has been collected from the various websites based on the usage of mobile technology in enhancing communication skills among the users specifically students at undergraduate and post- graduate level. 4.OBSERVATION 1. Have you ever participated in any one of the speaking activities? Of the 200 respondents 5% of the respondents answered that they participated in speaking related activities in the academics.41% of the respondents participated in speaking activities occasionally, 7.3% participated often, 24% concluded that they rarely participated and 21% never ever participated in speaking activities. VOLUME 8 ISSUE 4 2022 PAGE NO: 206
GRADIVA REVIEW JOURNAL ISSN NO : 0363-8057 39% responded that they speak English like a native speaker and 11% of the respondents never spoke like a native speaker in English. 30% reacted that thy have sometimes tried to speak English like a native speaker. Interestingly, 60% of the respondents accepted that they constantly self-motivated and learnt from their mistakes whenever they did a mistake while speaking English to correct and overcome their mistakes. 14% responded that they tried to motivate or correct themselves whenever they was a mistake while speaking English, and meagre 2% responded they never learnt from their mistakes. VOLUME 8 ISSUE 4 2022 PAGE NO: 207
GRADIVA REVIEW JOURNAL ISSN NO : 0363-8057 55% of the respondents were of the opinion that they always think and try to improve speaking skills through various techniques and 2.8% were of the opinion that they never use any technique to improve speaking skills and 19% were of the opinion that sometimes used techniques to improve speaking skills. 56% of the respondents strongly agreed and 31.5% also positively reacted that speaking skills are essential at any learning activities for better interaction at home, work place , whereas 2% only opined that they strongly disagree and 1.7% added that there no relation between speaking skills for better learning or easy interaction at home or at workplace. VOLUME 8 ISSUE 4 2022 PAGE NO: 208
GRADIVA REVIEW JOURNAL ISSN NO : 0363-8057 64% of the respondents agreed that an interviewer looks for communication, listening skills, confidence, nonverbal communication in a potential employee. 17% of the respondents felt that only confidence is observed by the interviewer in the interview process. 10% of the respondents were of the opinion that verbal; communication is the key to impress the interviewer in an interview process.7% of the respo Students felt that listening skills is the most important attribute to crack an interview process. 33.5% and 43.6% of the respondents strongly agreed and agreed that unfriendly tone may worsen the situation during a job interview. 12% remained neutral to the question and 5% and 5.6% strongly disagreed to the theory that unfriendly tone has anything to do with worsening of the situation during interview. VOLUME 8 ISSUE 4 2022 PAGE NO: 209
GRADIVA REVIEW JOURNAL ISSN NO : 0363-8057 88.8% of the respondents confirmed that they never heard about Convo Interview application and they have never used the app for practicing mock interview.11.2% of the respondents confirmed that they were aware and used the app to prepare for mock interview. 42.7% remained neutral to mobile app assisting in reducing anxiety or overcome speaking issues. 2.2% qnd 10.7% strongly disagreed and agreed to any link between mobile app assisting in overcome speaking apprehension. 40% and 4% strongly agreed and agreed to the concept of using mobile app to overcome speaking apprehensions and assisting in overcoming anxiety. VOLUME 8 ISSUE 4 2022 PAGE NO: 210
GRADIVA REVIEW JOURNAL ISSN NO : 0363-8057 8.4% and 56% strongly agreed and agreed to mobile apps and technology having a positive impact to improve presentation skills. 25% remained neutral to the link between mobile app and improvement in the speech or presentation skills. 8% disagreed t the opinion that technology has anything to do with improving presentation skills. 13.5% and 46% of the respondents agreed that since MNC’S prefer online interviews in the recent past so mobile app help prospective candidates in preparing for better placement. 27.5% remained neutral and 10% disagreed to mobile app having any impact for placement in MNC’S. VOLUME 8 ISSUE 4 2022 PAGE NO: 211
GRADIVA REVIEW JOURNAL ISSN NO : 0363-8057 5.ANALYSIS Basing on the responses, it was analyzed that majority of the students or respondents are not that aware of specific mobile apps used to improve their oratory skills. Although usage of smartphones is common phenomena at this juncture, it’s note worthy that undergraduate students are not aware of such mobile applications used to develop their oratory skills, which highlights that smartphones are only used for amusement and not for skill development. Some of the respondents mentioned that self-controlled learning apps have been helpful in enriching their communication skills by using mobile apps at their own pace contrary to the common belief that such skills can be improvised by well experienced facilitators. Initially the users of m-learning apps confronted hurdles in understanding in the usage of the application as it is a self- learning app. Over a period students found this app to be user- friendly as it has many benefits like learning at one’s own pace, time saving. Many of the respondents also acknowledged that-app could get assist to face an interview confidently as they were well acquainted with interpersonal, communication skills. Therefore it has been observed that the students have strong will to speak like native speakers but they don’t have proper source to enhance the communication skills especially oratory skills. 6.LIMITATIONS Responses may be biased. Students should have prior knowledge in the usage of technology otherwise it may affect the success of the M-learning environment. For students, who prefer their mother-tongue mode of communication may find it difficult to navigate as it is based generally in the English language. M-Learning is difficult to adopt, as it involves human skills, to be specific motor skills. The initial stages of an M-learning tool are time- consuming as the students find an alien culture of learning to be adopted The negative impact of M-learning on the facilitators is that their creativity is side- tracked and not recognized. Digitalization has spoon-fed the students, which kills their cognitive skills. 7.CONCLUSIONS This study has tried to explore the possible benefits of m-apps in improving students’ oratory skills. Summing up, Technology based Mobile learning and teaching tools may be a boon to curriculum only if it doesn’t ruin the chief objective of the education process. The researchers or educators should aim at transforming the true essence of knowledge or information to the mediocre. With the adoption of modern tools, the young minds and facilitators can adorn the English language acquisition into limelight. At the same time, teachers as well as students should bypass the old system of learning and teaching modes and experience the new spur of education. VOLUME 8 ISSUE 4 2022 PAGE NO: 212
GRADIVA REVIEW JOURNAL ISSN NO : 0363-8057 REFERENCES: 1. Matsuura, T., Fang, P., Pearson, C. E., Jayakar, P., Ashizawa, T., Roa, B. B., & Nelson, D. L. (2006). Interruptions in the expanded ATTCT repeat of spinocerebellar ataxia type 10: repeat purity as a disease modifier?. The American Journal of Human Genetics, 78(1), 125-129. 2. VOLUME 8 ISSUE 4 2022 PAGE NO: 213
You can also read