Incorporating peephole interactions into children's second language learning activities on mobile devices

Abstract

Physical movement has the potential to enhance learning activities. To investigate how movement can be incorporated into children's mobile language learning, we designed and evaluated two versions of a German vocabulary game called Scenic Words. The first version used movementbased dynamic peephole navigation, which requires physical movement of the arms, while the second version used touchbased static peephole navigation, which only requires standard touchscreen interactions; static peepholes are the status quo interaction technique for navigation, commonly found, for example, in map applications and games. To compare the two types of navigation and to assess children's reactions to dynamic peepholes, we conducted an inhome study with 16 children (ages 89). The children participated in pairs but individually played each version of the game on a mobile device. While results showed that the more familiar static peepholes were the preferred interaction style overall, participants became accustomed to the movementbased dynamic peepholes during the study. Participants noted that the dynamic peephole interaction became easier over time, and that it had some advantages such as for dragginganddropping elements in the game.