Іноземні мови (Aug 2018)
The electronic course «English week 2018-2019» for arranging extra-mural language activities of prospective ship engineers
Abstract
This article dwells on applying Learning Management System “MOODLE” tools and gamification approach to organising extra-mural language activities within the course “English Week 2018-2019” designed for prospective ship engineers. The suggested e-course intends to arrange individual and group work of ship engineering cadets of Maritime College of Kherson State Maritime Academy. The gamification techniques used by the authors include the following ones: avatars, leader boards, progression loops, elements of e-course design (arrows, gif images), points, badges (electronic images), games. Avatars increase cadets’ attention and play an important role in activating their participation in the e-learning activities. Leader boards help create competitive environment in the suggested e-course. Progression loops visualise learning targets for the course users. Arrows and animated images diversify design elements of the course in order to involve cadets emotionally into the learning process. Cadets can gain different points by completing various tasks. The announcements about the “English Week” games are listed in the e-course “Page” activity. The tasks of the course “English Language for Specific Purposes” are described for every day of the week. The marks obtained for the activities are automatically displayed in the e-journal. Badges represent the electronic images displayed for the best completion of the English language week tasks. They are displayed at the user’s page. Cadets strive to get all possible badges, get in the top five of the leader boards, achieve the highest points because gamification elements are considered as a measure of success in their elearning. Some course participants struggle to get awards simply because of their prestige. It was proved that the designed e-course enhanced learners’ motivation to study English, contributed greatly to attracting students to do language activities of different types, positively affected cadets’ overall learning progress.
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