Abstract:

This presentation will share research findings on the effects of augmented reality (AR) and print-based games on reading engagement in the context of foreign language learning. It will also showcase the design and development of a narrative-driven AR mobile game tailored for language education and explore its pedagogical implications.

Building on the principles of game-based and problem-based learning, this study examined the effects of an augmented reality (AR) mobile game and its printed counterpart on students’ reading engagement. To achieve this, a narrative-driven mystery AR mobile game was designed and implemented using the Analysis, Design, Development, Implementation, and Evaluation (ADDIE) framework. The participants included thirty-three undergraduate students learning Korean as a foreign language. Among them, nineteen students played the AR version of the game, while fifteen engaged with the printed version. Following the activities, both groups completed various assessments, including reading engagement surveys with Likert-scale items, adjective checklists, and interviews. The findings revealed that both groups displayed similar levels of behavioral, cognitive, and emotional reading engagement, as well as positive attitudes toward reading, with no statistically significant differences between the groups. However, the qualitative data highlighted variations in participants’ perceptions of each mode.

The presentation will discuss how immersive technologies, such as AR, can enhance engagement in foreign language education while highlighting the enduring value of traditional print-based methods.

Bio:

Jayoung Song is a Watz Early Career Professor and an Assistant Professor of Korean and Applied Linguistics at Penn State. Her research focuses on Korean applied linguistics, technology-enhanced language learning—particularly with virtual and augmented reality—intercultural communication, and second language reading. She actively contributes to professional communities, serving as a reviewer for various academic journals and as a member of the editorial boards of Linguistic Research. Additionally, she serves on the Executive Board of the American Association of Teachers of Korean (AATK) for the 2022–2025 term.