Hostname: page-component-cd9895bd7-q99xh Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-12-25T05:28:41.307Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Effects of a mobile game-based English vocabulary learning app on learners’ perceptions and learning performance: A case study of Taiwanese EFL learners

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  04 April 2019

Chih-Ming Chen Open the ORCID record for Chih-Ming Chen [Opens in a new window] ,
Huimei Liu Open the ORCID record for Huimei Liu [Opens in a new window]  and
Hong-Bin Huang Open the ORCID record for Hong-Bin Huang [Opens in a new window]
Chih-Ming Chen
Affiliation:
Graduate Institute of Library, Information and Archival Studies, National Chengchi University, Taipei City, Taiwan, ROC ([email protected])
Huimei Liu
Affiliation:
Department of Statistics, National Chengchi University, Taipei City, Taiwan, ROC ([email protected])
Hong-Bin Huang
Affiliation:
Graduate Institute of Library, Information and Archival Studies, National Chengchi University, Taipei City, Taiwan, ROC ([email protected])
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

Many studies have demonstrated that vocabulary size plays a key role in learning English as a foreign language (EFL). In recent years, mobile game-based learning (MGBL) has been considered a promising scheme for successful acquisition and retention of knowledge. Thus, this study applies a mixed methodology that combines quantitative and qualitative approaches to assess the effects of PHONE Words, a novel mobile English vocabulary learning app (application) designed with game-related functions (MEVLA-GF) and without game-related functions (MEVLA-NGF), on learners’ perceptions and learning performance. During a four-week experiment, 20 sophomore students were randomly assigned to the experimental group with MEVLA-GF support or the control group with MEVLA-NGF support for English vocabulary learning. Analytical results show that performance in vocabulary acquisition and retention by the experimental group was significantly higher than that of the control group. Moreover, questionnaire results confirm that MEVLA-GF is more effective and satisfying for English vocabulary learning than MEVLA-NGF. Spearman rank correlation results show that involvement and dependence on gamified functions were positively correlated with vocabulary learning performance.

Keywords

game-based learningmobile learningEnglish vocabulary learningsecond language learningapp
Type
Regular papers
Information
ReCALL , Volume 31 , Issue 2 , May 2019 , pp. 170 - 188
Copyright
© European Association for Computer Assisted Language Learning 2019 

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

Alfaki, I. M. (2015) Vocabulary input in English language teaching: Assessing the vocabulary load in spine five. International Journal of English Language and Linguistics Research, 3(1): 1–14.Google Scholar
Alqahtani, M. (2015) The importance of vocabulary in language learning and how to be taught. International Journal of Teaching & Education, III(3): 21–34. https://doi.org/10.20472/TE.2015.3.3.002 Google Scholar
Brooke, J. (1996) SUS: A ‘quick and dirty’ usability scale. In Jordan, P. W., Thomas, B., Weerdmeester, B. A. & McClelland, I. L. (eds.), Usability evaluation in industry. London: Taylor & Francis, 189–194.Google Scholar
Butler, Y. G. (2015) The use of computer games as foreign language learning tasks for digital natives. System, 54: 91–102.Google Scholar
Chu, H.-C., Hwang, G.-J., Tsai, C.-C. Tseng, J. C. R. (2010) A two-tier test approach to developing location-aware mobile learning systems for natural science courses. Computers & Education, 55(4): 1618–1627. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compedu.2010.07.004 Google Scholar
Coffield, F., Moseley, D., Hall, E. Ecclestone, K. (2004) Learning styles and pedagogy in post-16 learning: A systematic and critical review. London: Learning and Skills Research Centre.Google Scholar
Dolati, I. Mikaili, P. (2011) Effects of instructional games on facilitating of students’ vocabulary learning. Australian Journal of Basic and Applied Sciences, 5(11): 1218–1224.Google Scholar
Dondi, C. Moretti, M. (2007) A methodological proposal for learning games selection and quality assessment. British Journal of Educational Technology, 38(3): 502–512. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-8535.2007.00713.x Google Scholar
Ehri, L. C. Rosenthal, J. (2007) Spellings of words: A neglected facilitator of vocabulary learning. Journal of Literacy Research, 39(4): 389–409. https://doi.org/10.1080/10862960701675341 Google Scholar
Educational Testing Service (ETS) (2011) New TOEIC Official Test-Preparation Guide III. Taipei: Chun Shin.Google Scholar
Evans, C. (2008) The effectiveness of m-learning in the form of podcast revision lectures in higher education. Computers & Education, 50(2): 491–498. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compedu.2007.09.016 Google Scholar
Fotouhi-Ghazvini, F., Earnshaw, R. A., Robison, D. Excell, P. (2009) The MOBO city: A mobile game package for technical language learning. International Journal of Interactive Mobile Technologies, 3(2): 19–24. https://doi.org/10.3991/ijim.v3i2.757 Google Scholar
Franciosi, S. J. (2011) A comparison of computer game and language-learning task design using flow theory. Computer Assisted Language Learning-Electronic Journal, 12(1): 11–25.Google Scholar
Garris, R., Ahlers, R., Driskell, J. E. (2002) Games, motivation, and learning: A research and practice model. Simulation & Gaming, 33(4): 441–467. https://doi.org/10.1177/1046878102238607 Google Scholar
Goodman, D., Bradley, N. L., Paras, B., Williamson, I. J. Bizzochi, J. (2006) Video gaming promotes concussion knowledge acquisition in youth hockey players. Journal of Adolescence, 29(3): 351–360. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.adolescence.2005.07.004 Google Scholar
Hogle, J. G. (1996) Considering games as cognitive tools: In search of effective “Edutainment”. https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/ED425737.pdf Google Scholar
Huang, W.-H., Huang, W.-Y. Tschopp, J. (2010) Sustaining iterative game playing processes in DGBL: The relationship between motivational processing and outcome processing. Computers & Education, 55(2): 789–797. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compedu.2010.03.011 Google Scholar
Hung, H.-C. Young, S. S.-C. (2007) Constructing the game-based learning environment on handheld devices to facilitate English vocabulary building. Seventh IEEE International Conference on Advanced Learning Technologies (ICALT 2007): 348–350. https://doi.org/10.1109/ICALT.2007.105 Google Scholar
Jensen, E. (2005) Teaching with the brain in mind (2nd ed.). Alexandria: ASCD.Google Scholar
Jones, C., Ramanau, R., Cross, S. Healing, G. (2010) Net generation or digital natives: Is there a distinct new generation entering university? Computers & Education, 54(3): 722–732. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compedu.2009.09.022 Google Scholar
Kang, J. (2012) Attributes and motivation in game-based learning: A review of the literature. The University of Texas at Austin, unpublished master’s thesis.Google Scholar
Ke, F. (2008) Computer games application within alternative classroom goal structures: Cognitive, metacognitive, and affective evaluation. Educational Technology Research & Development, 56(5–6): 539–556. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11423-008-9086-5 Google Scholar
Kukulska-Hulme, A. Shield, L. (2008) An overview of mobile assisted language learning: From content delivery to supported collaboration and interaction. ReCALL, 20(3): 271–289. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0958344008000335 Google Scholar
Laufer, B. Sim, D. D. (1985) Measuring and explaining the reading threshold needed for English for academic purposes texts. Foreign Language Annals, 18(5): 405–411. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1944-9720.1985.tb00973.x Google Scholar
Li, C.-L. Haggard, S. Chen, S.-H. (2010)A study of Taiwan’s technical college students’ English learning strategies. Proceedings of the 2010 International Conference on ELT Technological Industry and Book Fair, 136–146. Taiwan: National Pingtung University of Science and Technology.Google Scholar
Liang, T. (1996) Cooperative learning in English education. Proceedings of the 5th International Symposium on English Education. Taipei, Taiwan: Crane Publishing Co., Ltd: 65–71.Google Scholar
Liao, Y. F. (2004) A survey study of Taiwan EFL freshmen’s vocabulary learning strategies. Journal of Pingtung Teachers College, 21: 271–288.Google Scholar
Lim, C. P. (2008) Global citizenship education, school curriculum and games: Learning mathematics, English and science as a global citizen. Computers & Education, 51(3): 1073–1093. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compedu.2007.10.005 Google Scholar
Mostafa, Z. Zahra, A. (2014) Exploring the effect of Java mobile dictionaries on Iranian EFL students’ vocabulary learning. International Journal of Research Studies in Educational Technology, 3(1): 23–35. https://doi.org/10.5861/ijrset.2013.535 Google Scholar
Motallebzadeh, K. Ganjali, R. (2011) SMS: Tool for L2 vocabulary retention and reading comprehension ability. Journal of Language Teaching and Research, 2(5): 1111–1115. https://doi.org/10.4304/jltr.2.5.1111-1115 Google Scholar
Nation, I. S. P. (1990) Teaching and learning vocabulary. New York: Newbury House.Google Scholar
Nation, I. S. P. (2001) Learning vocabulary in another language. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.Google Scholar
Neville, D. O., Shelton, B. E. McInnis, B. (2009) Cybertext redux: Using digital game-based learning to teach L2 vocabulary, reading, and culture. Computer Assisted Language Learning, 22(5): 409–424. https://doi.org/10.1080/09588220903345168 Google Scholar
Pimsleur, P. (1967) A memory schedule. The Modern Language Journal, 51(2): 73–75. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1540-4781.1967.tb06700.x Google Scholar
Prensky, M. (2001) Digital game-based learning. New York: McGraw-Hill.Google Scholar
Quade, D. (1967) Rank analysis of covariance. Journal of the American Statistical Association, 62(320): 1187–1200. https://doi.org/10.1080/01621459.1967.10500925 Google Scholar
Read, J. (2000) Assessing vocabulary. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9780511732942 Google Scholar
Rezaee, A. A. Azizi, Z. (2012) The role of zone of proximal development in the students’ learning of English adverbs. Journal of Language Teaching and Research, 3(1): 51–57. https://doi.org/10.4304/jltr.3.1.51-57 Google Scholar
Roschelle, J. (2003) Unlocking the learning value of wireless mobile devices. Journal of Computer Assisted Learning, 19(3): 260–272. https://doi.org/10.1046/j.0266-4909.2003.00028.x Google Scholar
Rosell-Aguilar, F. (2018)Autonomous language learning through a mobile application: A user evaluation of the busuu app. Computer Assisted Language Learning. Advance online publicationhttps://doi.org/10.1080/09588221.2018.1456465 Google Scholar
Schmitt, N. (2000) Vocabulary in language teaching. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.Google Scholar
Schwabe, G. Göth, C. (2005) Mobile learning with a mobile game: Design and motivational effects. Journal of Computer Assisted Learning, 21(3): 204–216. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2729.2005.00128.x Google Scholar
Song, Y. Fox, R. (2008) Using PDA for undergraduate student incidental vocabulary testing. ReCALL, 20(3): 290–314. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0958344008000438 Google Scholar
Sukstrienwong, A. Vongsumedh, P. (2013) Software development of word search game on smart phones in English vocabulary learning. In Zhang, L. (ed.), The Proceedings of the 2013 International Conference on Education and Modern Educational Technologies, 39: 37–42.Google Scholar
Uzun, L., Çetinavcı, U. R., Korkmaz, S. Salihoğlu, U. M. (2013) Developing and applying a foreign language vocabulary learning and practice game: The effect of VocaWord. Digital Culture & Education, 5(1): 48–70.Google Scholar
Van Eck, R. (2006) Digital game-based learning: It’s not just the digital natives who are restless. EDUCAUSE Review, 41(2): 16–30.Google Scholar
Wang, B.-T. (2017) Designing mobile apps for English vocabulary learning. International Journal of Information and Education Technology, 7(4): 279–283. https://doi.org/10.18178/ijiet.2017.7.4.881 Google Scholar
Wilcox, R. (2012) Introduction to robust estimation and hypothesis testing (3rd ed). Amsterdam: Academic Press.Google Scholar
Wilkins, D. A. (1972) Linguistics in language teaching. London: Edward Arnold.Google Scholar
Wilson, K. A., Bedwell, W. L., Lazzara, E. H., Salas, E., Burke, C. S., Estock, J. L. Orvis, K. L. Conkey, C. (2009) Relationships between game attributes and learning outcomes: Review and research proposals. Simulation & Gaming, 40(2): 217–266. https://doi.org/10.1177/1046878108321866 Google Scholar
Wu, S.-C. (2002) English vocabulary learning strategies for junior college students in Taiwan. The Journal of Hsing Wu College, 31: 269–288.Google Scholar