Digital Natives in Higher Education Related to Langua ge Learning

Abstract

Mobile learning in higher education in Turkey is on the rise. University students use their mobile devices mostly for self-directed informal learning rather than in the formal academic context, creating challenges to acquire an accurate picture of academic use. In this study, we collected data about ownership of mobile devices among students using a diverse sample from various universities in Turkey. We also explored students' language learning practices with mobile technologies and focused on the interactions among technologies, contents, and pedagogies. The results indicate that learners need better access to academicfriendly devices such as tablets and additional support to integrate mobile technologies for language learning purposes. The findings also help shape future directions of faculty development. Instructors must integrate these innovative technologies into the curriculum with sound facilitation and assessment strategies, as well as be able to support the mobile practices of students. Digital Natives in Higher Education Related to Language Learning Mobile devices' role in young generations' lives are growing more and more important day by day. Today, an average university student has spent fewer than 5000 hours in his or her life to read book, yet has expended over 10,000 hours playing video games, Facebooking, Tweeting, messaging, emailing, and online gaming. These are unmovable parts of their lives now (Prensky, 2001). In this paper, the ownership and usage of mobile devices among university students in Turkey is determined in order