TABLETS AS INSTRUCTIONAL TOOLS IN THE FOREIGN LANGUAGE CLASSROOM: THE TEACHER PERSPECTIVE

Theoretical and empirical research, carried out over the last decade, argue that mobile assisted language learning (MALL) can support foreign language learning in new ways, both inside and outside the classroom. New educational technologies and software have facilitated the creation of MALL applications especially for Tablets.

Furthermore, an increasing number of studies are carried out looking at the use of Tablets, from a variety of angles, in the foreign language classroom as it is expected to have great influence on the performance of learners.

Teachers can also play an important role on the successful introduction and use of Tablets in any educational level. This study sought to examine both pre- and in-service teachers’ perceptions of using tablets in foreign language classroom. Based on the literature review an online questionnaire was developed, with two types of Closed-Ended Questions, Multiple choice questions and Likert scaled questions, in order to examine teachers’ point of view in Greece. 285 participants (132 In-service and 153 Pre-service teachers) completed the survey.

The results, presented thoroughly in this article, refer to the participants’ opinion regarding the use of Tablets as an educational tool, the assets or/and drawbacks of their use as well as to their pedagogical application in a foreign language classroom.

This paper also highlights the concept of MALL, the characteristics and the different types of pedagogical use of Tablets.