Language learning apps or games: an investigation utilizing the RETAIN model

Abstract: Combining games with mobile devices can promote learning opportunities at the learners' fingertips and enable ubiquitous learning experiences. As teachers increasingly assign games to reinforce language learning, it becomes essential to evaluate how effective these applications are in helping students learn the content or develop the skills that the games are reinforcing. This article examines two English language learning apps under the RETAIN model (GUNTER; KENNY; VICK, 2008). The findings indicate that although these apps offer some language learning opportunities, they do not present scenario-based quality or gameplay, among other elements, if they are to be considered games.摘要：将游戏与移动设备相结合，可为学习者带来触手可及的学习契机，并打造泛在学习体验。随着教师愈发频繁地布置游戏作业以强化语言学习，评估此类应用在帮助学生掌握游戏所侧重的学习内容与技能方面的实际效果，便显得至关重要。本文基于RETAIN模型（RETAIN model，GUNTER、KENNY、VICK，2008），对两款英语学习应用展开了研究。研究结果显示，尽管这两款应用具备一定的语言学习功能，但如若将其视作游戏，它们则缺乏情境化设计与游戏玩法等相关要素。