Applications of Game-Based Learning (Gbl) in Mobile Assisted Language Learning (Mall) Contexts

[[abstract]]今年四月Apple 發行的iPad 掀起了全球風靡平板電腦的熱潮，2010 年遂 被視為電子書的關鍵元年。未來可以預見的是，數位學習將會面臨一波「行動 化」的轉型，在電子書趨勢的帶動之下，如何發展適逢其時的行動學習模式是 有待暸解的迫切議題，因為要營造一個廣度及深度兼備的優質數位學習環境， 必須考量硬體(泛指數位學習載具及教學設備)與軟體(泛指數位學習內容及教學 活動)間的整合搭配性。此外，根據國科會第八屆「全國科學技術會議」的建 議，臺灣必須積極發展國人的科技素養及語文素養。該報告中指出，人文學科 的臺灣大學生普遍欠缺資訊技術及科技知識，而語文課程亦有待改造，尤以閱 讀能力的增強為要。基於以上考量，本研究計畫遂將行動學習應用的學科聚焦 於英語教學，並以科技與社會之通識教育為語言學習與閱讀的文本內涵，以回 應現今數位學習的發展趨勢及國科會所提出的研究需求 。 此二年期計畫以大專英語學習者為對象，目的在於建構其適用之「以遊戲 為本行動式語言學習」的數位內容及應用模式。計畫的第一年將執行質化為 主、量化為輔的探索性研究(exploratory study)，採用等組後測實驗設計，旨 在發展示範性教材設計，並擬定妥適的教學策略。計畫的第二年將以第ㄧ年的 成果與經驗為基礎，進行量化為主、質性為輔的驗證性研究(confirmatory study)，採用非對等的多組前後測實驗設計，藉以精進本計畫所建構之行動學 習模式，並評估其成效。本計畫將利用課堂觀察、文件蒐集、及師生晤談等方 式收集質性資料，並運用主題分析法進行質化研究分析。而量性資料的來源主 要是問卷及測驗，將透過因素分析法，進行統計分析。 在教學與研究設計方面，本計畫採用廣義的混成式學習概念，作為整體方 法架構，針對學習場域、學習載具、教學策略、及教材文本等四大構面做整合 性的混成規劃。在科技工具的應用方面，本計畫將利用SimMagic LMS 建置一個 行動學習平台，學生可以透過個人電腦或平板電腦隨時隨地近用由SimMagic Designer 製成的互動式多媒體電子書，而每一本電子書就是一個完整的線上教 學模組。關於本計畫研究重點之一的悅趣式學習，在課堂教學中所使用的悅趣 式學習教材，是以PowerPoint 製成的多媒體互動式PPT Games。而在課後學習 時的悅趣式學習教材則是以ProProfs 製成一系列的網頁互動式Word Games， 再以超連結方式，嵌入至本計畫所建置的教學模組。 這項二年期計畫的重要性在於發展一套前瞻數位學習模式，預計在兩年內 發表二篇研討會論文及二篇國際期刊論文，冀望透過研究成果的分享，幫助英 語教學界及數位內容產業了解：（1）以遊戲為本行動式語言學習模式的發展及 加值應用；（2）教育遊戲導入課堂教學及行動學習之教學策略與教學效益； （3）行動學習載具使用者之閱讀動機、閱讀態度、閱讀行為、閱讀偏好，以及 這些因素與學習成就的關係 。[[abstract]]Technologies are getting ubiquitous in all aspects of our lives and have become revolutionary mediums that significantly affect how people learn and interact. Given that technology possesses within itself the potential for the continuous redefinition of literacy, the emergence of various mobile learning devices in recent years (particularly after Apple laughed iPad in April, 2010) is believed to shift the trends of E-learning from computer-assisted to mobile-assisted teaching and learning. Situated in the field of computer assisted language learning, this research project, therefore, sets out to fill in the theory and practice gaps in response to the status quo of mobile learning in Taiwan and recent research calls by National Science Council for more empirical studies on digital literacy and language literacy. The main purpose of this two-year project is to develop a mobile-assisted language learning model for enhancing college English learners’ literacy learning development, featuring the uses of digital game-based learning materials and teaching strategies. This pedagogical design model adopts a blended learning framework to holistically consider the integration of a variety of technology tools into the teaching of reading and vocabulary in both classroom and out of classroom contexts. The technology tools involved in this project include a learning management system developed by SimMagic LMS, interactive multimedia e-books created by SimMagic Designer, and lots of interactive language learning games created by PowerPoint and ProProfs. A classroom-based exploratory study design will be adopted to explore possible differential impacts on learners’ literacy learning and performance resulted from the mediation of mobile learning devices and desktop computers in the first year of the project. Next, this project will build on the findings of the first-year research to conduct confirmatory research to better examine the instructional effects of the proposed pedagogical model. Anticipated findings of this project will provide English teachers and E-learning practitioners with nuanced understandings of: (1) the instructional strategies for integrating of digital game-based learning principles in mobile assisted language learning; (2) The instructional effects of digital game-based learning and its pedagogical implications on reading and vocabulary instruction; (3) The interrelations among mobile learners’ reading motivation, reading attitudes, reading behaviors, reading preferences, literacy learning and development.[[note]]NSC100-2511-S327-00