Leveraging low-cost mobile technologies in Bangladesh: A case study of innovative practices for teacher professional development and communicative English language teaching

Abstract

Using mobile technologies, particularly mobile phones, for teacher professional development in developing economies is extremely rare. This article presents a case study of English in Action (EIA) and its use of mobile technologies that moves beyond documenting their functionality as ubiquitous handheld hardware to enhance and extend the reach of teaching and learning. It presents compelling evidence of an effective and innovative professional development intervention that simultaneously improves communicative English language teaching. We argue this large-scale intervention was significant in enhancing teachers' professional knowledge and presents important implications for using mobile phones in developing countries for teacher professional development and classroom-based English teaching and learning. © 2011 Springer-Verlag.