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

2019 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 17K02950
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Research Field: Foreign language education
• Research Institution: Meijo University
• Principal Investigator: Praver Max 名城大学, 外国語学部, 准教授 (60598712)
• Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha): Robert Cvitkovic 東海大学, 国際教育センター, 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)
• Project Period (FY): 2017-04-01 – 2020-03-31
• Keywords: Language learning / Smartphone apps / Mobile technology / Microlearning

Outline of Final Research Achievements

This project reports how an English language learning app specifically created for this study, was used by over 400 Japanese university students. The app included grammar, vocabulary, and listening activities of increasing difficulty. Regression, MANCOVA, and t-test analyses were used to determine the existence and strength of the relationship between the overarching metric of time on task, with increase in post-test score and speed of post-test completion. Results clearly show that the time spent using the app was positively correlated with both students’ improvement in test scores and the time taken to complete the test, a finding that indicates the importance of consistent and repeated engagement with materials to achieve proficient familiarity.

Free Research Field

Technology Enhanced Learning (TEL)

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

These results offer an important indication for teachers and students using educational apps. When users consistently and repeatedly engage with the app materials in an appropriate and efficient manner, they can achieve proficient and superior familiarity with the platform.