Learning Strategies in Self-directed Language Learning Using Mobile Technology in Higher Education: A Systematic Scoping Review

Abstract

Language learners in higher education increasingly use out-of-class self-directed learning facilitated by mobile technology. In order to make informed educational decisions, this study sets out to provide an overview of empirical research into learning strategies that self-directed learners use with the support of mobile technology in language learning. Twenty studies were selected and systematically analysed, revealing the cognitive, metacognitive, social and affective strategies that self-directed learners used in their language learning processes. Low-cognitive strategies appeared to be more commonly reported than high-cognitive strategies. The use of metacognitive strategies was more closely associated with the forethought phase and performance phase than with the self-reflection phase, yet only a few articles reported all three metacognitive phases. Three kinds of social strategies were examined, and only one affective strategy was reported. Finally, implications of these findings and directions for future research are provided for self-directed learners, practitioners and researchers to facilitate self-directed learning and future work.

Mobile Learning to Support Self-Regulated Learning

“…Overall, the results from research about the development of just-in-time m-learning support to foster learners' SRL during their self-study seems promising (Baars et al, 2022b;Broadbent et al, 2020;Chen et al, 2018;Lai et al, 2022;Viberg et al, 2020a;Tabuenca et al, 2015) and provide us with several future directions of research and practice. At the same time, they also present several challenges that we need to carefully consider in the design process and future research on how to support students' SRL processes over time.…”

Vocabulary Learning Strategies Employed by Indonesian Virtual Exchange Students

“…They must be able to be self-directed learners during the virtual course. In self-directed learning, the participants can make use of mobile technology such as mobile phones and laptops along with the applications on them to develop their language competence and sustain their interests in learning (Lai et al, 2022). Self-directed learning also makes vocabulary more enjoyable and effective (Rabadi, 2016).…”

Mobile Learning with Edmodo : Digital Virtual Class

“…Mobile Learning or M-Learning is a form of communication work support that creates knowledge (Sarrab et al, 2018;Sletten & Montebello, 2021). Previous study states mobile learning is the concept of student self-learning, where learning materials are already contained in mobile learning applications (Lai et al, 2022). M-Learning according to previous study is the ability to carry out learning anytime and anywhere through the use of multimedia (text, sound, image, or video) and communication (phone calls, voice/text messages, email).…”