How to Design Audio-Gamification for Language Learning with Amazon Alexa?—A Long-Term Field Experiment

How to Design Audio-Gamification for Language Learning with Amazon Alexa?—A Long-Term Field Experiment

How to Design Audio-Gamification for Language Learning with Amazon Alexa?—A Long-Term Field Experiment

Paula Bräuer, Athanasios Mazarakis

Abstract

"Gamification can increase motivation in learning, and intelligent virtual assistants (IVAs) can support foreign language learning at home. However, there is a lack of design concepts to motivate learners to practice with their IVA. This study combines both concepts and analyzes if audio-gamification can increase engagement to address this research gap. To this end, a one-year long-term field experiment with 230 subjects using a German language learning skill for Amazon Alexa was conducted. A between-subjects design determined differences in learning behavior and learning outcomes between a control group and two gamified groups (achievements and leaderboard). The findings reveal a positive effect on the number of translated vocabulary and learning success. However, only in the group with a leaderboard was a statistically significant effect on the number of translated vocabulary found. These findings imply that audio-gamification can be a helpful tool for increasing motivation to use IVAs for foreign language learning."

Reference

Bräuer, P., & Mazarakis, A. (2022). How to Design Audio-Gamification for Language Learning with Amazon Alexa?—A Long-Term Field Experiment. International Journal of Human–Computer Interaction, 1-18. https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/10447318.2022.2160228

Keywords

learning, design, motivation