2017 Fiscal Year Research-status Report
Investigating the Effects of Affect Variables on the Instructional Efficiency of Four Mobile Learning Activities: How Engagement, Interest, and Focus, Affect Mental Effort and Learning Outcomes
| Project/Area Number |
17K02950
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| Research Institution | Meijo University |
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Principal Investigator |
Praver Max 名城大学, 外国語学部, 准教授 (60598712)
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| Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha) |
Robert Cvitkovic 東海大学, 公私立大学の部局等, 講師 (00412627)
ハズウェル クリストファー 九州大学, 言語文化研究院, 准教授 (90536088)
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| Project Period (FY) |
2017-04-01 – 2020-03-31
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| Keywords | Mobile Educational Apps / E-learning / EFL |
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| Outline of Annual Research Achievements |
The first year was used to prepare an existing English language learning app for data collection. Our research team worked on six major components of the app. 1) Original content consisting of four English proficiency levels along with audio was created for download from a secure server. 2) Badges, leader-board, progress tracking, score reporting, and user feedback features were added. 3) A server data collection system with device sync and security was included. 4) A user login system was coded. 5) Both pre-post tests were embedded within the app to allow for ease of test results reporting.
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| Current Status of Research Progress |
Current Status of Research Progress
2: Research has progressed on the whole more than it was originally planned.
Reason
The research project is progressing smoothly and on schedule. The first year was focused on setup and preparation for data collection in the second year. All in-app engagement functionality, data tracking, feedback, and graphics were completed during the first year. Furthermore, data logging and syncing with the secure server has been set up and tested. On the content side, English language learning material for three activities: one grammar, one listening, and one vocabulary, were created and debugged along with audio. The above work by our team has led to the completion of the English mobile learning app, named ‘English Gauge.’ The app is now fully functional and ready to use for both iOS and Android platforms. Learner data collection can begin right away.
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| Strategy for Future Research Activity |
The app will be piloted during the spring semester of 2018. More than 200 English learners will participate as part of either a treatment or control group. All participants will be asked to engage with the learning app over the course of four to six weeks. The pilot study will inform a larger data collection phase to be conducted in the fall semester of 2018. This investigation will examine metrics and self-reported engagement scores associated with increased proficiency with the platform to help us evaluate the effectiveness of the educational English learning app.
Finally, detailed descriptions of the project including initial results and conclusions will be disseminated at both international and domestic conferences on English education and technology in 2018.
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| Causes of Carryover |
The left over funds came about because the costs of personnel expenditure were less than initially expected.
The remaining funds from year 1 will be used to facilitate (cover the costs) an overseas trip to an international conference in the fall of year 2 in order to disseminate initial results from our pilot study that will be conducted in the first semester of year two. This presentation will be given by two members of the research team, Praver and Haswell.
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