An Investigation of a Joyful Peer Response System: High Ability vs. Low Ability

Abstract

Existing peer response approaches majorly take place in traditional educational contexts, where students may not be highly motivated. On the other hand, game-based learning takes a joyful way to enhance students’ motivation. Accordingly, we propose a joyful peer response (JPR), where game-based learning and peer response are integrated together. Furthermore, two empirical studies were conducted to investigate how high- and low-ability students perform in the JPR and how their perceptions are associated with their performance. Regarding the former, the findings suggest that the JPR is beneficial to high- and low-ability students. Regarding the latter, the findings imply that the writing performance of the high-ability students is majorly related to their perceptions of game elements. On the other hand, the writing performance of the low-ability students is related to their perceptions of both game elements and peer response.

Funding

The authors would like to thank the Ministry of Science and Technology of the Republic of China, Taiwan, for financial support (MOST 103-2511-S-008-010-MY3, MOST 104-2511-S-008-009-MY3, MOST 104-2511-S-008-008-MY3, and MOST 104-2811-S-008-007) and the Research Center for Science and Technology for Learning, National Central University, Taiwan.

Additional information

Funding

The authors would like to thank the Ministry of Science and Technology of the Republic of China, Taiwan, for financial support (MOST 103-2511-S-008-010-MY3, MOST 104-2511-S-008-009-MY3, MOST 104-2511-S-008-008-MY3, and MOST 104-2811-S-008-007) and the Research Center for Science and Technology for Learning, National Central University, Taiwan.

Notes on contributors

Jen-Hang Wang

Dr. Jen-Hang Wang is a post-doctor at Graduate Institute of Network Learning Technology, National Central University, Taiwan. His main research interest lies within Computer Support Collaborative Learning. He obtained his PhD from the Department of Computer Science and Information Engineering, National Central University in Taiwan.

Sherry Y. Chen

Dr. Sherry Y. Chen is currently a Chair Professor at Graduate Institute of Network Learning Technology, National Central University, Taiwan and a Visiting Professor in the Department of Information Systems and Computing at Brunel University, UK. Since May 2010, she has been granted an Outstanding Scholar Award from the Foundation for the Advancement of Outstanding Scholarship (FAOS).

Tak-Wai Chan

Dr. Tak-Wai Chan is currently a Chair Professor at the Graduate Institute of Network Learning Technology, National Central University, Taiwan. He has worked on various areas of digital learning, including artificial intelligence in education, computer supported collaborative learning, mobile and ubiquitous learning, digital game based learning, and, most recently, technology supported mathematics and language arts learning.