A review of vocabulary learning applications: From the aspects of cognitive approaches, multimedia input, learning materials, and game elements

2021 ◽  
pp. 250-272
Keyword(s):  
Foreign Language ◽  
Mobile Applications ◽  
Mobile Apps ◽  
Vocabulary Learning ◽  
Word Knowledge ◽  
Learning Approach ◽  
Feedback Systems ◽  
Learning Materials ◽  
Systematic Understanding ◽  
Game Elements

In recent years, mobile applications (apps) have been increasingly used and investigated as a vocabulary learning approach. Despite the extensive use of commercial English as a Foreign Language (EFL) vocabulary learning apps in China, there is a lack of a review of these apps for a systematic understanding of the components and usefulness of app-assisted vocabulary learning. To fill this knowledge gap, this study presents a systematic review of 15 EFL vocabulary learning apps that were most downloaded in China, focusing on how these apps help students develop word knowledge. The results of this study showed that most apps enabled students to access word knowledge through translating words into their native language. Notably, word knowledge was usually presented through text-plus-image and text-plus-image-plus-audio. Most of these mobile apps provided sentence examples as vocabulary learning materials. Many of these apps were integrated with game elements, especially in interactivity or feedback systems and reward systems. Based on the review results, we have provided three recommendations to vocabulary learning app developers concerning the use of video for the input of word knowledge, the efficiency of vocabulary learning, and the integration of more game elements.

scholarly journals An Evaluation of Popular Vocabulary Learning Mobile Applications in China and Their Implications for Language Learning?

2022 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. p47
Author(s):  
Yue Yang
Keyword(s):  
Foreign Language ◽  
Language Learning ◽  
Mobile Learning ◽  
Mobile Applications ◽  
Teaching And Learning ◽  
English Language ◽  
Mobile Apps ◽  
Vocabulary Learning ◽  
English Language Teaching ◽  
English Learning

Mobile-Assisted Language Learning (abbreviated to MALL) has proved to be both useful and efficacious for language learning. Mobile applications (apps) can help learners meet their needs for updating information and skills and learning without the constraints of time and place. In our current informational era, mobile learning has been more and more adopted in English teaching. Some mobile apps can also provide potential possibilities for foreign language learners to practice language skills on their smart mobile phones and tablet PCs. A lot of applications have been created and used for English as a Foreign Language (EFL) learning.Mastering vocabulary is an integral aspect of English learning, and an essential way to learn English vocabulary is via mobile learning apps. This study evaluates the four vocabulary learning apps which have become popularized in China: baicizhan, Youdao, Hujiang Happy Dictionary, and Momo word. Through a process of analysis and comparison, the affordances and limitations of these different English vocabulary apps in English learning will be examined. Then I would like to examine how mobile apps can be incorporated into English language teaching and learning and what kinds of tasks can be employed to improve EFL learning for learners.

scholarly journals EFL learners’ experience of a MALL-based vocabulary learning tool

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 283-291
Author(s):  
Abdullah Alhadiah
Keyword(s):  
Foreign Language ◽  
Language Learning ◽  
Mobile Applications ◽  
Vocabulary Learning ◽  
Intention To Use ◽  
Learning Tools ◽  
Learning Tool ◽  
Efl Learners ◽  
Mobile Assisted Language Learning ◽  
Positive Attitudes

Since vocabulary learning plays a crucial role in the journey of language learning, various programs and mobile applications have been developed to assist vocabulary learning. However, the effectiveness of MALL-based (mobile-assisted language learning) tools can be determined by examining the perception of users, who are learners in this case, because, as Beres (2011) emphasized, learners do not always perceive learning tool effectiveness in the same way as educators. Thus, the primary purpose of this study is to investigate the perspectives of learners regarding the use of one of the programs that can be used for vocabulary learning — Quizlet. The perceptions of thirty-eight Saudi EFL (English as a Foreign Language) freshmen college students regarding the use of Quizlet for fourteen weeks were examined using questionnaires and interviews. The main findings of the study show that the students demonstrated positive attitudes towards the use of Quizlet in English vocabulary learning. They perceived it as a useful program that was easy to use, and they reported the intention to use it in the future. The present study highly recommends the use of MALL-based tools for vocabulary learning for their usefulness inside and outside the classroom.

scholarly journals Article Review on The Impact of Blended Learning on Students’ Vocabulary Enhancement.

2019 ◽  
Vol 14 ◽  
pp. 3331-3336
Author(s):  
Sisay Ayalew
Keyword(s):  
Foreign Language ◽  
Blended Learning ◽  
Vocabulary Learning ◽  
Learning Approach ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
Learning Conditions ◽  
Efl Students ◽  
Central Argument ◽  
Full Face ◽  
The Impact

This critique examines three studies about the impact of blended learning on students’ vocabulary enhancement. The name of the author of the first article is Sezen Tosun. The article is entitled as “The effects of blended learning on EFL students’ vocabulary enhancement”. It was published by Elsevier Ltd-Procedia - Social and Behavioral Sciences 199 (2015) 641 – 647. The second article is “Enhancement of Students' Vocabulary Learning through a Blended Learning Approach”. The authors of this article are Dinara G. Vasbieva, Irina I. Klimova, Elena L. Agibalova, Natalya V. Karzhanova and Jana Bírová. The article accessed on IEJME-Mathematics Education on look academic publishers (open access), VOL. 11, NO. 5, 1195-1203 in 2016. The last article is a study about “A Blended Learning Approach to Enhance College Students’ Vocabulary Learning”. It is written by Djiwandono, and released on 2013, Vol. 10, No. 2, pp. 210–220 from Electronic Journal of Foreign Language Teaching. The credentials of the authors are not specifically stated in the articles except Vasbieva et al.  The central argument of the articles was to investigate the effects of the blended learning approach to teach and learn English vocabulary. Therefore, this critique was designed to produce a systematic review of studies contrasting vocabulary learning outcomes for either blended learning conditions or with those of full face-to-face classroom instruction.

scholarly journals The Effect of Quizlet on Vocabulary Acquisition

2018 ◽  
Vol 6 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Abdulaziz B Sanosi
Keyword(s):  
Foreign Language ◽  
Mobile Applications ◽  
Vocabulary Acquisition ◽  
Vocabulary Learning ◽  
Foreign Language Teaching ◽  
Major Objective ◽  
Efl Learners ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
University Level ◽  
Experimental Group

This study concerns with the major objective of foreign language teaching: vocabulary acquisition. The modern trends of teaching and the vast advance of technology enable teachers to use online and mobile applications in a very wide range. The real effect of using such a method need to be measured. Accordingly, this experimental-design study investigated the effect of Quizlet, a rapidly growing application with an online and mobile phone version, on vocabulary acquisition. Two groups of low-level EFL learners at Prince Sattam Bin Abdulaziz University in Saudi Arabia ( N = 42) participated in the study. Each group underwent a pretest and a posttest to assess their acquisition of the assigned vocabulary lessons that were extracted from their syllabus. After using Quizlet for vocabulary learning for a month, the experimental group participants show a significant improvement in vocabulary posttest. Accordingly, the study acknowledges and recommends using the application at university level

Second Language Vocabulary Acquisition through Mobile Assisted Language Learning

Think India ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 22 (2) ◽  
pp. 439-444
Author(s):  
ASHA MADHAVI PAGADALA
Keyword(s):  
Second Language ◽  
Foreign Language ◽  
Language Learning ◽  
Mobile Devices ◽  
Vocabulary Acquisition ◽  
Vocabulary Learning ◽  
Learning Approach ◽  
Ubiquitous Learning ◽  
Mobile Assisted Language Learning ◽  
Foreign Language Acquisition

Vocabulary is essential in second and foreign language acquisition. Appropriate and sufficient knowledge of vocabulary helps the learners understand others and express their own feelings. Hence vocabulary acquisition is the key component to master any language. Mobile-assisted language learning is a language learning approach which consists of using handheld technologies to teach and learn a language.Mobile devices can induce increased vocabulary learning, encouraging ubiquitous learning through their portability and access to various activities anytime, anywhere.This paper aims at exploring the benefits of Mobile assisted Language Learning in vocabulary acquisition by a second language learner.It also discusses the vocabulary activities and strategies that can be facilitated through different mobile devices so as to fit to the needs of the learner. 

Mobile Applications for Health Management of Older Adults: A Scoping Review (Preprint)

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nurul Asilah Ahmad ◽  
Shahrul Azman Mohd Noah ◽  
Arimi Fitri Mat Ludin ◽  
Suzana Shahar ◽  
Noorlaili Mohd Tohit
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Goal Setting ◽  
Mobile Applications ◽  
Health Management ◽  
Mobile Apps ◽  
Personalized Feedback ◽  
Self Monitoring ◽  
App Store ◽  
Evidenced Based ◽  
Google Play

BACKGROUND Currently, the use of smartphones to deliver health-related content has experienced a rapid growth, with more than 165,000 mobile health (mHealth) applications currently available in the digital marketplace such as iOS store and Google Play. Among these, there are several mobile applications (mobile apps) that offer tools for disease prevention and management among older generations. These mobile apps could potentially promote health behaviors which will reduce or delay the onset of disease. However, no review to date that has focused on the app marketplace specific for older adults and little is known regarding its evidence-based quality towards the health of older adults. OBJECTIVE The aim of this review was to characterize and critically appraise the content and functionality of mobile apps that focuses on health management and/or healthy lifestyle among older adults. METHODS An electronic search was conducted between May 2019 to December 2019 of the official app store for two major smartphone operating systems: iPhone operating system (iTunes App Store) and Android (Google Play Store). Stores were searched separately using predetermined search terms. Two authors screened apps based on information provided in the app description. Metadata from all included apps were abstracted into a standard assessment criteria form. Evidenced based strategies and health care expert involvement of included apps was assessed. Evidenced based strategies included: self-monitoring, goal setting, physical activity support, healthy eating support, weight and/or health assessment, personalized feedback, motivational strategies, cognitive training and social support. Two authors verified the data with reference to the apps and downloaded app themselves. RESULTS A total of 16 apps met the inclusion criteria. Six out of 16 (37.5%) apps were designed exclusively for the iOS platform while ten out of 16 (62.5%) were designed for Android platform exclusively. Physical activity component was the most common feature offered in all the apps (9/16, 56.3%) and followed by cognitive training (8/16, 50.0%). Diet/nutrition (0/16, 0%) feature, however, was not offered on all reviewed mobile apps. Of reviewed apps, 56.3% (9/16) provide education, 37.5% (6/16) provide self-monitoring features, 18.8% (3/16) provide goal setting features, 18.5% (3/16) provide personalized feedback, 6.3% (1/16) provide social support and none of the reviewed apps offers heart rate monitoring and reminder features to the users. CONCLUSIONS All reviewed mobile apps for older adults in managing health did not focused on diet/nutrition component, lack of functional components and lack of health care professional involvement in their development process. There is also a need to carry out scientific testing prior to the development of the app to ensure cost effective and its health benefits to older adults. Collaborative efforts between developers, researchers, health professionals and patients are needed in developing evidence-based, high quality mobile apps in managing health prior they are made available in the app store.

Assessment and Prediction of Privacy Concerns on Health Apps (Preprint)

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Reham AlTamime ◽  
Vincent Marmion ◽  
Wendy Hall
Keyword(s):  
Data Sharing ◽  
Mobile Applications ◽  
Retention Rate ◽  
Mobile Apps ◽  
Third Party ◽  
Privacy Concerns ◽  
Health Apps ◽  
Mobile Health Apps ◽  
Specific Factors ◽  
And Control

BACKGROUND Mobile apps and IoT-enabled smartphones technologies facilitate collecting, sharing, and inferring from a vast amount of data about individuals’ location, health conditions, mobility status, and other factors. The use of such technology highlights the importance of understanding individuals’ privacy concerns to design applications that integrate their privacy expectations and requirements. OBJECTIVE This paper explores, assesses, and predicts individuals’ privacy concerns in relation to collecting and disclosing data on mobile health apps. METHODS We designed a questionnaire to identify participants’ privacy concerns pertaining to a set of 432 mobile apps’ data collection and sharing scenarios. Participants were presented with 27 scenarios that varied across three categorical factors: (1) type of data collected (e.g. health, demographic, behavioral, and location); (2) data sharing (e.g., whether it is shared, and for what purpose); and, (3) retention rate (e.g., forever, until the purpose is satisfied, unspecified, week, or year). RESULTS Our findings show that type of data, data sharing, and retention rate are all factors that affect individuals’ privacy concerns. However, specific factors such as collecting and disclosing health data to a third-party tracker play a larger role than other factors in triggering privacy concerns. CONCLUSIONS Our findings suggest that it is possible to predict privacy concerns based on these three factors. We propose design approaches that can improve users’ awareness and control of their data on mobile applications

Mobile-assisted vocabulary learning: Investigating receptive and productive vocabulary knowledge of Chinese EFL learners

ReCALL ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. 1-15
Author(s):  
Yan Li ◽  
Christoph A. Hafner
Keyword(s):  
Undergraduate Students ◽  
Vocabulary Learning ◽  
Vocabulary Knowledge ◽  
Mobile Technologies ◽  
Word Knowledge ◽  
Mobile Platforms ◽  
Efl Learners ◽  
Learning Group ◽  
Chinese University ◽  
L2 Vocabulary

Abstract Considerable research has been conducted on the advancement of mobile technologies to facilitate vocabulary learning and acquisition in a second language (L2). However, whether mobile platforms lead to a comprehensive mastery of both receptive and productive vocabulary knowledge has seldom been addressed in previous literature. This study investigated English vocabulary learning from engagement with mobile-based word cards and paper word cards in the context of the Chinese university classroom. A total of 85 undergraduate students were recruited to take part in the study. The students were divided into two groups, a mobile learning group and a paper-based learning group, and tested on two word knowledge components: receptive knowledge of the form–meaning connection and productive knowledge of collocations. Both the digital and non-digital word cards enhanced L2 vocabulary learning, and the results showed that the mobile application (app) promoted greater gains than physical word cards.

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