Evaluating study app 'Quizlet' using Hubbard's criteria

Profile of learners

Age: 9

Grade level: 2nd grade of Primary school

Characteristics: easily get bored/distracted, not familiar with lecture-style teaching

Proficiency level: Basic level

* Students can read English words, and know the basic structure of English(S+V+O)

* However, they do not have a large vocabulary.

Objective of the course

* Students can memorize 13 different expressions/words that describe the weather in English.

Purpose of the app

"Quizlet" is an online study application that helps students practice and master whatever they are learning. Users(both teacher and students) can create sets of terms and definitions, or find an existing set made by someone else. These sets of terms can then be studied under several standard study modes: Flash cards, Gravity(Playing games), Fill-in-the-blanks, Spellers, Match(time-based game).

Flashcards

Gravity (Playing games)

Fill-in-the Blanks

Test

Evaluation according to Hubbard's criteria

Hubbard suggests using six criteria for selecting a piece of software for use with language learners.

Q. What is Hubbard's criteria?

A. There are four distinct purposes of CALL evaluation: selection for use in a course, selection for use in self-access environments or for other instructors, published reviews, and feedback during the development process. Hubbard presented these purposes not as a comprehensive list but as a specific subset to which his framework can be applied.

Above is a diagram of Hubbard's framework. The processes Hubbard outlined in various iterations of his proposed framework include steps as giving a technical preview, creating an operational description, considering learner and teacher fit, making appropriateness judgments, and implementing schemes.

1. (Technical preview)

Q. Have you got the appropriate equipment available?

A. Quizlet can be approached in a website/app form. Therefore, as long as you have a computer/laptop/smartphone and a network, anyone can use Quizlet. No special equipment is needed.

2. (Operation)

Q. Is there a time limit on how long students have to give responses, or how long they see information?

A. It depends. Flashcard modes, for example, do not have a special time limit where they can study. The students can simply click the card and flip over it. In addition, 'Match' mode, which is a time-based game, allows students to match the terms and definitions. The quicker, the better.

Q. Do students have the freedom to move around the program?

A. The best benefit of Quizlet is that it allows students to prepare for tests by themselves. Most of the paper flashcards or worksheet activities are driven by teachers, who become the center of the class thus making teacher-centered classes. However, students can become the center of the class if they use Quizlet. Furthermore, students can choose where/when to study with this simple app because all they have to do is download the application, log in, and start the activity.

Q. Does the student click, or speak, or type a word, or more than a word?

A. The students can 'click' in the flashcard mode if they want to check the definition of a specific term. Also, they 'type' a word in 'Fill-in-the-blank' mode, where they see the related picture or description and then they type the answer. However, it does not have a 'speak' mode yet, since it requires some advanced technology (speech recognition).

Q. Does the program just say if something is correct, or does it provide explanations, prompts, and help?

A. Although Quizlet allows instant feedback, it only marks if the answer is correct or incorrect rather than giving a specific reason or explanation. This is because Quizlet is focused only on verifying the "correct" answer, and is only suitable to materials that have clear answers.

3. Teacher fit

Q. Does it fit your own approach?

A. Regarding the course objective (students can memorize 13 different expressions/words that describe the weather in English), I believe it fits my own approach. Learners in this course need to memorize various English expressions, but it is hard to help them memorize since memorization is based on 'self-directed study'. Quizlet is a great tool for students to study and memorize in a fun way, which perfectly fits my needs.

4. Learner fit

Q. Do the contents, skills, and language level of the software suit your students' needs, and those of the syllabus?

A. Students in my class are young learners, who are easily distracted and get bored. Therefore, it is never an easy job to make them focused in class. Memorization is boring, but with this app 'Quizlet', the learners will regard this activity as a game rather than studying. Plus, Quizlet is a perfect fit for a basic level language class. Since all of my students are all beginners, Quizlet suits well.

5. Implementation

Q. Could you integrate the software easily into the course or curriculum?

A. Yes, I can integrate Quizlet into my curriculum smoothly. Because it does not require a complicated process, the only thing you need to do is to make an online classroom in this app and invite students to the app. In class, after you explained various expressions that describe the weather, you can share the URL of the class you newly opened. Since it supports "Live mode", where students can meet each other in real-time through the app, teachers can use Quizlet in class for 5-10 minutes briefly as a practice time.

6. Appropriateness

Q. If the software were a human teacher, would you want that person teaching your students?

A. No. Quizlet sometimes include wrong, misleading information since it allows any user to create and share a study set. There is no guarantee that the information is accurate. Also, it only provides simple information and does not provide a detailed explanation or feedbacks. Finally, it cannot evaluate the 'speaking skills' of learners. While the learners have to read the instruction, type down(write) the accurate answer, and listen to the correct pronunciation of the words, Quizlet does not enhance the speaking skills of students.

Reflection

While Bower's model focuses on knowledge, pedagogy, and thinking skills of learning activities using technology, Hubbard's model discusses how software programs can provide opportunities for language acquisition, as well as being designed so that they are easy for teachers and students to use. Therefore, I decided to borrow Hubbard's criteria for evaluating Duolingo since I wanted to analyze in time-order stages.

After analyzing Quizlet according to Hubbard's model, I came to know that it is very detailed and well-explained and draws out various aspects of the study app. Also, it is very practical since Hubbard's model is mainly presented in 'Question' forms. I could critically analyze the pros and cons of Quizlet by borrowing his model.

As a language teacher, knowing Hubbard's evaluation criteria is crucial since it helps to decide whether the education tool the teacher is going to use in class is appropriate or not. Especially in these days where there is a flood of education tools, it is never an easy job for language teachers to validate its educational effect. However, by using Hubbard's model, teachers can cut down on time and effort and use that energy into designing a more helpful language classes for learners.