Supporting Foreign Language Vocabulary Learning Through Kinect-Based Gaming

Abstract

This study aimed to explore the effectiveness of a Kinect-based game called Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon: Future Soldier to investigate possible contributions of game-based learning in a virtual language classroom at a state university in Ankara, Turkey. A quasi-experimental design where the treatment group (N= 26) was subjected to kinect-based learning environments, and the control group (N = 26) continued with traditional learning environments was used. All the participants were administered an achievement test as a pre-test, and a post-test. Moreover, the qualitative part of the study included post-study semi-structured interviews with 10 students. The findings showed that there was significant mean difference in student achievement in post-test scores in favor of the experimental group. In addition, the study explored the opinions of the students toward the use of gesture-based computing systems for instructional purposes.The findings suggested some important points to consider while making use of kinect-based games for educational purposes like interaction and learner motivation.