Let’s Learn French with Smart Objects

Abstract

For many years researchers have worked to improve the second language acquisition learning process. Immersion and interactivity, essential approaches to language acquisition, provide key learning opportunities in formal classroom settings. Immersion coupled with interactive activities can engage and challenge students by moving them away from mechanical drills. However, such activities seldom are personalized or consider individual learners’ specific needs and levels. In this research, I am investigating the design of a tangible interaction to support and supplement second language acquisition in college-level classroom settings. During a tangible interaction, a person interacts with digital information by directly manipulating it through physical objects with their hands and perceiving the feedback through their peripheral senses. A tangible user interface (TUI) can enhance the learning process as well as provide a user framework for collaborative learning. This research explores the design benefit of a TUI powered by artificial intelligence to supplement second language acquisition in three aspects: 1. improving the learning performance by providing immediate feedback, 2. boosting the student's confidence through personalization, and 3. reducing the cognitive load of learning by simulating and moderating collaborative learning between the learner and the AI system.