Learning Language Grammar with Interactive Exercises in the Classroom and Beyond

Marina Purgina, Maxim Mozgovoy, Monica Ward

2017

Abstract

We describe how the principles of gamification, rich learning material, and personalized experience were used to design WordBricks, a software tool intended to assist learning natural language grammar, which is a challenging task for learners. We briefly discuss the distinctive features of successful educational software instruments with a large user base, and argue that the possibility of independent, personalized out-of-class interaction with an educational tool is nearly essential for success. In addition to these elements, our application implements a visual grammar formalism that turns solving grammar exercises into a puzzle game-like experience, attractive for the learners. The results of our ongoing classroom experiments show that the users of WordBricks score better on grammar tests thus proving the feasibility of our approach. Subsequent experiments with the Irish language also demonstrated that the students enjoyed playing with the application, which is important for learners with low levels of motivation and lack of modern multimedia teaching materials.

Paper Citation

in Harvard Style

Purgina M., Mozgovoy M. and Ward M. (2017). Learning Language Grammar with Interactive Exercises in the Classroom and Beyond . In Proceedings of the 9th International Conference on Computer Supported Education - Volume 1: CSEDU, ISBN 978-989-758-239-4, pages 470-475. DOI: 10.5220/0006352804700475

in Bibtex Style

@conference{csedu17,
author={Marina Purgina and Maxim Mozgovoy and Monica Ward},
title={Learning Language Grammar with Interactive Exercises in the Classroom and Beyond},
booktitle={Proceedings of the 9th International Conference on Computer Supported Education - Volume 1: CSEDU,},
year={2017},
pages={470-475},
publisher={SciTePress},
organization={INSTICC},
doi={10.5220/0006352804700475},
isbn={978-989-758-239-4},
}

in EndNote Style

TY - CONF
JO - Proceedings of the 9th International Conference on Computer Supported Education - Volume 1: CSEDU,
TI - Learning Language Grammar with Interactive Exercises in the Classroom and Beyond
SN - 978-989-758-239-4
AU - Purgina M.
AU - Mozgovoy M.
AU - Ward M.
PY - 2017
SP - 470
EP - 475
DO - 10.5220/0006352804700475