Development And Use Of A Web-Based Application For Smartphones: Fostering Outside-Of-Class Collaborative Learning In A University Efl Flipped Learning Course

This paper reports a pilot study on the development and use of a web-based application for smartphones which was conducted by researchers at universities and research institutions in Japan. The aim was to foster outside-of-class collaborative learning in a university English as a foreign language (EFL) flipped learning (FL) course. FL in this course-based action research study was defined as blended learning wherein groups of 4 to 5 students engaged in outside-of-class collaborative learning tasks on a web-based application developed to complement in-class collaborative learning activities. Collaborative learning was defined as interaction between students which was expected to facilitate the achievement of the desired learning product: the development of written and oral communication skills in the students' foreign language. The application provided a smartphone learning environment for students and the teacher. Course texts on the application were studied outside of class to prepare for in-class discussion and presentation learning tasks. The teacher sent messages to the students' smartphones which were intended to sustain the motivation levels needed for on-going engagement in outside-of-class learning tasks related to the comprehension of course text concepts and research on the topics. Various kinds of data such as participation logs, course text materials, comprehension tests, and student performance data were stored in a learning management system on the smartphone application. In post-course evaluations, the students reported that the messages sent by the teacher encouraged constructive collaboration on the online tasks. Students described the URL research-site links in the preparatory materials on the application as useful in preparing for in-class tasks which added to their understanding of the topics, and also to the development of their English language skills. Moreover, it was apparent that active participation in collaboration contributed to integration of the two different sets of learning tasks and thus, the smartphone application helped achieve the aims of a FL approach to foreign language learning: the achievement of a complementary use of in-class and outside-of-class study opportunities through purposeful communication among students in their foreign language.