ERIC Number: EJ1455455
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2024
Pages: 33
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-2472-5749
EISSN: EISSN-2472-5730
Available Date: N/A
The Impact of Social Media and Gamification of a Mobile Vocabulary Learning App: Self-Regulation and Learning Persistence
Qian Xu; Jennifer C. Richardson
Online Learning, v28 n4 p4-36 2024
Scholars indicated that learners who are strategic with their language learning (e.g., selfregulated learning [SRL], cognitive and meta-cognitive strategies) tend to be more efficient, resourceful, and flexible, and thus have better language learning outcomes (Oxford, 2016; Heo et al., 2012; Plonsky, 2011). Besides focusing on the knowledge, language learners, as L2 teachers already do, need to prepare themselves with self-regulated learning skills so they can achieve the target language learning outcomes. This study selected Shanbay Danci (SBDC), a popular mobile vocabulary application (Wang, 2020; Su & Su, 2015), as the intervention. SBDC allows learners to share not only information about their goals but also include badges (a gamification feature) demonstrating their learning outcomes. To explore the impacts of the badge-sharing feature on learners' perceived self-regulation level, vocabulary learning persistence, and self-regulated learning experiences, a total of 77 undergraduates, who were enrolled in college English courses at a Chinese institution, participated in the study. Results showed participants in the badge-sharing group (experimental) tended to have significantly higher SRL level (e.g., better management of time and the learning environment, more strategic in completing tasks, selecting appropriate learning environment, setting learning goals, and self-evaluating their learning progress) than those in the control group who were not enrolled in any badge-sharing group. Moreover, those in the badge-sharing group demonstrated higher persistence in learning vocabulary with a completion rate of 70% versus 56% in the control group. Qualitative results indicated that badge sharing enhanced learners' self and shared regulation (an emergent finding from the data analysis) capacity in the process of learning vocabulary. [Note: The page range (4-32) shown on the PDF is incorrect. The correct page range is 4-36.]
Descriptors: Metacognition, Learning Strategies, Outcomes of Education, Vocabulary Development, Game Based Learning, Learning Experience, English (Second Language), Second Language Learning, Second Language Instruction, Foreign Countries, College Students, Intervention, Academic Persistence, Task Analysis, Comparative Analysis, Goal Orientation, Social Media, Computer Software, Telecommunications, Handheld Devices, Self Evaluation (Individuals), Time Management
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research; Tests/Questionnaires
Education Level: Higher Education; Postsecondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: China
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
Author Affiliations: N/A