ELTWeekly Vol. 5 Issue#21 | June 17, 2013 | ISSN 0975-3036
Mobigam: Language on the move in Gujarat Research training and development workshops
Richard Badger, School of Education, University of Leeds
Atanu Bhattacharya, Central University of Gujarat, Gandhinagar
Sunil Shah, HM Patel Institute of English Training and Research, Vallabh Vidyanagar
James Simpson School of Education, University of Leeds
June 2013
Mobigam is a research initiative focusing on the use of mobile technology in Gujarat, India. The name Mobigam is a composite of mobile and gam, a rural area, in Gujarati. The Mobigam project is funded with a Partnership and Mobility Grant from the British Academy.
As part of the initiative we are running a series of research methods workshops in January and June 2013. Our aim in the workshops is to ascertain the feasibility of research into the use of mobile technologies in Gujarat, to determine the scope of such research, and to develop research capacity amongst staff and students in Higher Education Institutions across the state.
| No. | Venue | Date | Workshop Coordinators | |
| 1 | Bhavnagar | June 20 | Dept. of English, Bhavnagar Uni. | dilipbarad@gmail.com |
| 2 | Vallabh Vidyanagar | June 22 | Dr. Sunil Shah | Sunilshah76@gmail.com |
| 3 | Adipur | June 25 | Dr. Manish Pandya | mpandya244@gmail.com |
| 4 | Navsari | June 28 | Dr. Surendrasinh Gohil | surendragohil@gmail.com |
Workshop Schedule
Inaugural session
Welcomes and greetings
Session 1. Aims of the project; approach; research questions
We begin with a discussion of the Mobigam work and a description and rationale for the work to come. We discuss our topic – we wish to ascertain the potential of the use of mobile and networked digital technology to disturb, interrupt and otherwise challenge the established patterns of marginalisation, including educational marginalisation,amongst migrants in Gujarat.
Session 2. Data gathering: Survey
In this session we discuss pitfalls and potential problems with questionnaire design, examine our Mobigam survey instrument currently being piloted, and analyse early data for emergent patterns.
Session 3. Semi-structured interviews: Design, process and analysis
Participants design an interview schedule for the proposed research, and practice their interview technique. We also analyse a small sample of interview data.
Session 4. SMS data analysis
We present a sample of SMS (mobile phone text message) data and analyse it with reference to our Research Questions. We discuss the feasibility of collecting SMS data, as well as its limitations as a data source.
Session 5. Research sites
We discuss the possible sites for the research to come, and focus on the one particular research site that is most relevant. We pose a set of questions for group discussion and plenary feedback:
Session 6. Conclusion
In preparation for the workshops please read Simpson et al., 2013. ‘MOBIGAM: Language on the move in Gujarat: A preliminary Status report.’ ELT Quarterly 14/1-4, 84-87. This paper is available online at http://mobigam.wordpress.com/publications-and-presentations/