A Study of English Mobile Learning Applications at National Chengchi University

Literature Review

To receive an education, schools are no longer the only option for students. In fact, a student can take courses tailored to one’s needs at any time and any place today. Such is the nature of distance learning (d-learning), where students and the instructors are separated by time and/or distance (Georgiev, T., Georgieva, E. & Smrikarov, A., 2004). D-learning offers numerous advantages, especially for those who need flexibility in their life, such as learners with restricted mobility, an irregular work schedule, or family responsibilities. In addition to having freedom in time and location, d-learning is also student-centered. Not only do learners choose their materials in some cases, they also proceed at their own pace and intensity in some cases (USjournal.com, LLC). Students are not the only beneficiary of distance learning; institutions also increase revenue by delivering education to distance learning students since the class size increases while overhead stays the same in some cases (Valentine, 2002).