Designing an authoring system of robots and IoT-based toys for EFL teaching and learning

Abstract

This study aims to design an authoring system of robots and IoT-based toys for creating a scenario-based interactive learning environment for young English as a Foreign Language learners. This study adopts a design-based research approach to investigate the pedagogical needs, the critical features and usability of such a authoring system. Twelve adult participants, including EFL teachers, parents, non-technical, and technical professionals, voluntarily participated in this study to co-develop and evaluated the authoring system through iterations of needs collection, system design, system testing and refinements. An authoring system, consisting of IoT-based toys, a robot and a script editor, was finally developed taking four cycles of iterative improvements in 18 weeks. Eleven pedagogical needs concerning children’s language and cognitive development, better children-robot interaction and practical issues were identified. The modifications made across different versions of the authoring system were presented in detail. The results also show that the issues of effectiveness, robustness and efficiency were the most frequently identified, and that the system had achieved good usability after four rounds of design and refinements. Design principles and guidelines also merged as a result providing insights into the effective design of Robot Assisted Language Learning in particular and Technology-Enhanced Language Learning in general.

Keywords:

• Authoring system
• IoT-based toys
• pedagogical needs
• Robot-assisted language learning
• system usability

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

This research was supported by the Ministry of Science and Technology, Taiwan under project numbers MOST-108-2511-H-224-008-MY3, MOST-107-2511-H-224-007-MY3, and MOST-106-2511-S-224-005-MY3.

Notes on contributors

Ya-Wen Cheng

Ya-Wen Cheng is a doctoral student in the Department of Information Management, National Sun Yat-Sen University (NSYSU). Her research focuses on Gamification and System Design in Learning Technology and Robot assisted language learning.

Yuping Wang

Yuping Wang is associate professor in School of Humanities, Languages and Social Science at Griffith University, Australia. Her research focuses on the use of innovative pedagogy supported by advanced technologies in improving learners' second language learning experiences and outcomes in the contexts of distance, blended and online learning. Her recent publications include topics relating to institution-wide blended learning implementation strategies.

Yu-Fen Yang

Yu-Fen Yang is distinguished professor in the Graduate School of Applied Foreign Languages at National Yunlin University of Science and Technology (YunTech) in Taiwan. Her research focus is mainly on computer-assisted language learning (CALL), digital story writing, language education for special needs, and language assessment. Along with the development of CALL systems, she has published related manuscripts in international journals.

Zih-Kwan Yang

Zhi-Kwan Yang is a software engineer, he received his master degree in the Department of Information Management, National Sun Yat-Sen University (NSYSU). His research focuses on developing software for learning technology.

Nian-Shing Chen

Nian-Shing Chen is Chair Professor in the Department of Applied Foreign Languages at the National Yunlin University of Science and Technology (Yuntech), Taiwan. His current research interests include educational robots and game-based learning. Professor Chen is a golden core member of IEEE, ACM and the former Chair of the IEEE Technical Committee on Learning Technology.