2019 Fiscal Year Research-status Report
The development of mixed reality language teachings tasks for international collaboration
| Project/Area Number |
19K00890
|
|---|
| Research Institution | Tokai University |
|---|
Principal Investigator |
ライト デイビッド 東海大学, 国際教育センター, 講師 (40711429)
|
|---|
| Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha) |
濱本 和彦 東海大学, 情報通信学部, 教授 (50266368)
中川 浩 東海大学, 国際教育センター, 講師 (90780221)
|
|---|
| Project Period (FY) |
2019-04-01 – 2023-03-31
|
| Keywords | virtual reality (VR) / sentence word order / applied linguistics / SIMBLE / education technology / language anxiety / internationalization |
|---|
| Outline of Annual Research Achievements |
A new language education focused VR space, related to prepositions of locations, was developed before the start of the current grant. Lessons from the development of the space were applied to the efforts of the current grant project. This allowed the efficient creation of a second VR space focusing on sentence word order. The sentence word order VR space allows participants to physically move and manipulate words when completing a sentence. It also provides automated feedback on user input. In addition, a function to upload sets of sentences was created to assist in creating large sets of content for practical teaching contexts. The VR space was pilot tested with a small cohort of learners with a survey measuring their perceptions and attitudes towards a simulation-based language education (SIMBLE) approach. SIMBLE is research theme of the Principal Investigator. A virtual presentation describing the development and design of the space was given at an international conference in Italy, in March 2020. An improved iteration is being developed during FY 2020. Per the 5-year schedule, a head mounted display (HMD) will be purchased to validate the VR spaces during formal experiments to measure language ability and internationalization.
References:
Sato, K., Hamamoto, B., Wright, D., & Nakagawa, H. (2020, March 19th). Virtual Reality-Based Language Learning Environment to Teach Sentence Word Order. Paper presented at International Conference on Digital Approaches and their Impact on Business, Social Sciences & Humanities (ISSRE), Rome, Italy.
|
| Current Status of Research Progress |
Current Status of Research Progress
1: Research has progressed more than it was originally planned.
Reason
The development of a working VR space with a language learning focus was completed and the system was pilot tested in early FY2020. As stated in the summary of the research above, another VR space was created prior to the start of the grant. Given that, there are two VR spaces that can be used for the project. Among the two VR spaces learners can work individually, in pairs, and with the support of an instructor. A third VR will be developed in FY 2020 and will draw on lessons learned from developing the prior two systems. Given the current state of software development (i.e. the creation of the VR spaces), the project team is ready to proceed with validating the VR space using a set cohorts using a head mounted display (HMD) during pilot-testing and formal experiments, which is ahead of the original research timetable.
|
| Strategy for Future Research Activity |
The current research schedule includes software development, data collection, rater evaluation, and travel in FY 2020. Given the restrictions on gathering and travel at present (April 2020), the project will, where possible, focus on remote development of a third VR space. The project members have the necessary computing equipment to complete such work via online interactions only. Data collection, rater evaluation, and travel will be delayed until the proper authorization has be received to conduct such activities.
It is difficult to estimate how the current situation will influence the 5-year research schedule. However, the original schedule included an allocation of time in first half of FY 2020 for the development software for the VR spaces. As stated in the Status section above, the project is slightly ahead of schedule. If needed the entirety of FY 2020 will be allocated to software development. This change would then allow a portion of FY 2021 to validate the new VR space the remaining part of FY 2021, as well as the last two years of the project, to be applied to large scale data collection, rater evaluation, analysis, and dissemination of results. With the above conditions, the project team is hopeful that the project can be completed within the original 5-year time frame.
|
| Causes of Carryover |
The original budget estimate for the first year of the project included JPY 50,000 for travel expenses for the principal investigator (PI). Given the limitations on travel in March 2020, a presentation was conducted online, negating the need to travel. A separate portion of the budget, JPY 250,000 was allocated for software development. Work progressed more smoothly than anticipated leaving a surplus of JPY 171,000. The remaining total of JPY 221,000 will be allocated for the next fiscal year. With that in mind, given the current continuation of travel limitations and restrictions on meeting in person, the allocation of funds in the next fiscal year (i.e. 2nd year of the project) will depend on the status of such restrictions. If needed any remaining funds for the 2nd year will be used in the 3rd year of the project or re-allocated to another line item.
|
-
[Presentation] Virtual Reality-Based Language Learning Environment to Teach Sentence Word Order2020
Author(s)
Sato, K., Hamamoto, B., Wright, D., & Nakagawa, H.
Organizer
International Conference on Digital Approaches and their Impact on Business, Social Sciences & Humanities (ISSRE), Rome, Italy.
Int'l Joint Research / Invited
-
