Did Mobile-Based Virtual Reality Improve L2 Students' Oral Proficiency?

• In Event: 66.030 - Innovations in Virtual Reality and Virtual Worlds

Abstract

This presentation reports a mixed-methods study about using VR tools (Google Cardboard and Expeditions) for developing students’ oral proficiency in learning Chinese as a second language. Twelve students role-played as tour guides for six locations throughout a semester: four of them with VR tools and two without. Data collection included oral presentations recorded at four different times of the semester (right after Presentations 1, 3, 4, and 6), class observations, participants’ reflection papers, and individual interviews. Results revealed that the content and vocabulary of participants’ oral presentations when using VR tools scored statistically significantly higher than when not using VR tools. Qualitative data showed that participants felt that VR tools facilitated preparation and encouraged active learning.

Authors

• Ying Xie, Northern Illinois University

• Yan Chen, University of Nevada - Las Vegas

• Lan-Hui Ryder, Northern Illinois University