MASELTOV Deliverable Report 7.2: Feedback and Progress Indicators

Gaved, Mark; Jones, Ann; Kukulska-Hulme, Agnes; Scanlon, Eileen; Jones, Jan and Lameras, Petros (2013). MASELTOV Deliverable Report 7.2: Feedback and Progress Indicators. MASELTOV Consortium, Graz, Austria.

URL: http://www.maseltov.eu/publications/

Abstract

This document explores the range of feedback and progress indicators (FPIs) that can be used to support incidental, mobile learning for the target MASELTOV audience, recent immigrants to the EU. We propose that feedback, and progress indicators (we differentiate between the two) should play an instrumental role in helping learners reflect upon individual, often isolated learning episodes mediated by single MASELTOV services, and enable them to reconceive them as constituting elements of a coherent, larger learning journey. The goal of feedback and progress indicators is to support the motivation for learning and from this the social inclusion of recent immigrants.

Our underpinning assumption is that the MASELTOV software designers’ goal should be to encourage not just resolution of immediate challenges (e.g. finding a doctor, translating a sign) but a user’s reflection on their continuing progress towards integration into the host country, including improving their language skills.

We define feedback as responses to a learner’s performance against criteria of quality and as a means of directing and encouraging the learner; and progress indicators as responses indicating the current position of a learner within a larger activity or journey (often related to time). Drawing partly from the worlds of web-based language learning and video games, we identify which feedback and progress indicators may best support incidental mobile learning, and the major challenges faced.

For some MASELTOV services, feedback and progress indicators for large scale learning journeys are less apparent (e.g. TextLens, the MASELTOV tool that enables a user to take a photo of a sign and convert the image into text, potentially for future viewing or translation), while some services are explicitly educational (e.g. language lessons). However we see all of these as potentially part of an ecology of services that can support social inclusion, so all tools should include FPIs that encourage broader learning goals.

In this document we draw on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages as appropriate, and also reflect on learner perspectives (derived from WP2 and WP9 findings) to identify suitable FPIs, as well as being informed by academic literature. Furthermore, we recommend FPIs that would be suitable for the MASELTOV tools and services.

The remainder of the deliverable handles the four identified key areas where mobile incidental learning particularly requires FPIs:
1. encouraging reflection
2. future goal setting
3. planning
4. social learning

It should be noted that this document is a high level review, identifying significant literature and key examples of FPIs in practice. This document offers recommendations therefore in general terms. Decisions about specific FPIs to be implemented will be made in coordination with technical partners to identify which MASELTOV services and tools will support which specific feedback and progress indicators, and how they will be implemented within the system.

Viewing alternatives

Download history

Item Actions

Export

About