The Impact of Learning Motivation on Character-Nurturing and Competitive Game-Based Item Bank Practicing System

Abstract

In Taiwan, the traditional approach in English learning can be experienced as dull and boring. As a result, it leads to a decline in learning motivation and learning effectiveness. Some scholars have pointed out that adding games into learning could enhance the learner's motivation. However, different game strategies may have different effects on learners' learning motivation. Therefore, this study explored how different types of systems (a character-nurturing game, a competitive game and traditional practice without games) impacted learners' motivation when blending those systems into learning. In order to study this issue, the researchers first developed three systems which were a character-nurturing game-based item bank practicing system, a competitive game-based item bank practicing system and an item bank practicing system without games. Then the researchers invited 125 first-graders from a junior college in northern Taiwan taking an English course, and conducted a nine-week teaching experiment. The results showed that the learners of the competitive-game group had significantly lower confidence and satisfaction than the learners of the character-nurturing-game group.