Digital platforms in the age of mobility: a contribution towards language teaching and learning

Abstract

As the continuous development of digital technologies continues to have a profound impact on educational contexts (including teacher education settings), it has become paramount to not only understand whether and how teacher education and training is keeping pace with the ubiquitous nature of digital technology, but also to contribute to the continuous development of competences and initiatives within this scope. Focusing on language teaching and learning, this paper aims to support teachers and teacher educators working in technology-laden environments by putting together a broad ranging annotated list of digital platforms and tools that can be used to augment and support online activities and collaboration and promote articulated, technology-enhanced teaching and learning activities. Emphasizing the role played by Mobile Assisted Language Learning (MALL) and drawing from recent trends and an extensive review resulting from a collaboration that involved teacher educators, researchers and practitioners, these tools are described taking into account current approaches to language learning and assessment, as well as their perceived applicability, effectiveness and shortcomings. Highlighting the importance of collaboration, this work is effective in providing practical examples and best practices, whose potential can be harnessed and ultimately replicated by other practitioners and teachers in training, thus contributing the ongoing momentum of practice-driven innovation, that could ultimately inform language learning and teaching policies.