O n f e r e n c e

Karen McCloskey 
Nanyang Technological University, Singapore 
[e-mail] 
Challenges in Mobile Learning Research: Developing and 
Employing a Smart Phone App in Foreign Language Teaching
Bio data 
Dr. 
Karen McCloskey
holds a PhD in French literature from the University of Toronto. 
She has always been an avid user of technology in her teaching and research and was an 
active member of the SATOR (Société d’Analyse de la Topique dans les Œuvres 
Romanesques) research group developing a database to house ‘topoi’ or narrative 
building blocks. She taught French language and literature in Canada for 10 years before 
joining the Nanyang Technological University (NTU) in Singapore. The vast technology 
available at NTU has oriented her current research towards the use of new technologies 
in the language classroom. Recent articles include teaching French past tenses using 
clickers. 
Abstract 
Navigating the rapidly increasing domain of mobile-assisted language learning (MALL) is 
wrought with challenges. This paper highlights the main areas of concern when 
developing a smart phone app entitled the 
Virtual Language Table
for language practice 
anytime anywhere outside the classroom by text-based chat, video or voice. Along with a 
small team, I developed the app for use by four levels of French language students at the 
Nanyang Technological University in Singapore.
To form a theoretical framework for the project, I was drawn to Sharpies, Taylor and 
Vavoula’s (2007) idea that communication is the driving force of learning, the basis for 
their theory of mobile learning, which in turn is based on Pask’s (1976) understanding 
that communication is not a simple exchange of knowledge, but an occurrence in which 
people become informed based on other people’s ‘informings’.
The communication 
necessary for language learning and use seems to go hand in hand with this 
notion. Theoretical considerations in this young field were not the only challenge in 
developing the app, but this paper discusses the very practical setbacks as well. These 
range from convincing a grant committee of the viability of the app to the technical 
challenges faced by our vendor when transferring his server to the one at the university.
After initial testing with the first group of users, I will be able to highlight the challenges 
of using the app. From the student reactions and reflections via a late-semester 
questionnaire I will be able to elucidate some of the technical and practical challenges 
confronting the researcher dealing with this type of mobile learning research.