Usability Testing of VLASTA: A Vocabulary Learning and Strategy Teaching App

Abstract

Learning new vocabulary is one of the challenges in language learning yet crucial for mastering another language. It is also essential in any discipline or professional field where mastering new terminology is indispensable. This paper presents an evaluation of efficacy and usability of a custom-built, targeted and learnable tablet-based app for teaching an extensively researched vocabulary learning strategy, the keyword method, and for facilitating learning of new vocabulary with the aid of this method. In the experimental study reported here, participants learned to use the keyword method, applied it in learning new vocabulary and tested the recall of this newly learned vocabulary within the designed app. The effectiveness of the use of the keyword method taught within the app environment was compared to the effectiveness of the use of the traditional keyword method. Results suggest that the mobile app was a preferred and an effective tool in learning new vocabulary.