Graduation Semester and Year
2016
Language
English
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Science in Computer Science
Department
Computer Science and Engineering
First Advisor
Fillia Makedon
Abstract
One of the methods of learning a new language, or Second-Language Acquisition (SLA), is immersion, seen today as one of the most effective learning methods. Using this method, the learner relocates to a new place where the target language is the dominant language and tries to learn the language my immersing themselves in the local environment. However, it isn’t a feasible option for all, thus, traditional, less effective learning methods are used. As an alternative solution, we use virtual reality (VR) as a new method to learn a new language. VR is an immersive technology that allows the user to wear a head-mounted display to be immersed in a life-like virtual environment. Ogma, an immersive virtual reality (VR) language learning environment is introduced and compared to traditional methods of language learning. For this study, teaching a foreign vocabulary was focused only. Participants were given a set of ten Swedish words and learn them either by using a traditional list-and-flash-cards method or by using Ogma. They then return one week later to give feedback and be tested on their vocabulary-training success. Results indicated that percentage retention using our VR method was significantly higher than that of the traditional method. In addition, the effectiveness and enjoyability ratings are given by users were significantly higher for the VR method. This proves that our system has a potential impact on SLA by using VR technology and that Immersive Virtual reality technique is better than traditional methods of learning a new language.
Keywords
Virtual reality, Language acquisition, Learning
Disciplines
Computer Sciences | Physical Sciences and Mathematics
License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-Share Alike 4.0 International License.
Recommended Citation
Gupta, Sanika, "OGMA - LANGUAGE ACQUISITION SYSTEM USING IMMERSIVE VIRTUAL REALITY" (2016). Computer Science and Engineering Theses. 398.
https://mavmatrix.uta.edu/cse_theses/398
Comments
Degree granted by The University of Texas at Arlington