Mobile Learning and its Affordances: A Review Study

Today, the focus on computers has shifted to mobile devices and researchers are becoming more interested in the field of Mobile- Assisted Language Learning (MALL). Tablet and smartphones changed teaching and learning ways innovatively; they have some characteristics which should be welcomed in language learning. Mobile learning is accessible learning, anywhere and anytime, that increases our knowledge and experiences, also it provides a situation to collaborate with others and make learners satisfied; this kind of learning takes place through smartphones or other types of mobile devices. Affordances are interactions between an agent and an object, it can be related to the usability of an object that is the extent a user uses a product to achieve specific goals. Affordances provide new situations for both teachers and learners; teachers can have more relation with their students and learners can use the contact anytime and anywhere they need synchronously or asynchronously (Paredes et al., ۲۰۱۹). Gibson’s theory of affordances indicates that actions and interactions offered by the environment can be considered as affordances, therefore, affordances focus on usage rather than form. In addition, mobile devices have different affordances, but the current study focuses on connectivity, context-sensitivity, outdoor learning, interaction with interface, mobility, and conversational learning affordances. Understanding the relationship between learning theories and learning activities is useful to ensure and inform effective pedagogy. Mobile learning activities vary and this reason causes to applied different theories in this field. Vygotsky’s theory indicated that more knowledgeable people can help learners in ZP; these knowledgeable others can be digital tools such as mobile devices which provide situations to have interactions with others through social networks and sending or receiving e-mail, these interactions facilitate the process of learning. This study aims to review the theoretical and empirical background of mobile affordances.

کلیدواژه ها:

Online Learning ، Mobile Learning ، Affordances