JUCS - Journal of Universal Computer Science 26(8): 880-903, doi: 10.3897/jucs.2020.048
Assessing the Impact of Game Modalities in Second Language Acquisition: ELLE the EndLess LEarner
expand article infoEmily K. Johnson‡, Amy Larner Giroux‡, Don Merritt‡, Gergana Vitanova‡, Sandra Sousa‡
‡ University of Central Florida, Orlando, United States of America

Corresponding author: Emily Johnson ( ekj@ucf.edu )

© Emily Johnson, Amy Giroux, Don Merritt, Gergana Vitanova, Sandra Sousa.
This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY-ND 4.0). This license allows reusers to copy and distribute the material in any medium or format in unadapted form only, and only so long as attribution is given to the creator. The license allows for commercial use.
Citation: Johnson EK, Giroux AL, Merritt D, Vitanova G, Sousa S (2020) Assessing the Impact of Game Modalities in Second Language Acquisition: ELLE the EndLess LEarner. JUCS - Journal of Universal Computer Science 26(8): 880-903. https://doi.org/10.3897/jucs.2020.048
Open Access
Abstract
This paper describes a study comparing four educational videogames designed for second language acquisition (SLA) of Portuguese vocabulary terms: three versions (one VR and two PC versions with different perspectives) of an endless-runner called ELLE the EndLess LEarner and a control game This or That, which is a digitized flashcard system. A total of 68 university students took a pre-test assessing vocabulary knowledge, played one of the four versions for a total of 20 minutes, and took a post-test that assessed vocabulary knowledge and player experience. The study showed significant learning gains for all participants, regardless of which version of the game they played, with the highest increases coming from the group playing the control flashcard game. Possible explanations for these results are discussed, along with the results from post-test gameplay items of playability, engrossment, enjoyment, gratification, and immersion.
Keywords
game based learning/gaming, technology enhanced learning, eLearning systems/technology/tools/platforms, learning preferences