Mobile Applications

With the advancement of technology and its role in making life more convenient, some EFL teachers prefer to use it in their classrooms. In view of this, the current study aimed to explore the effect of Anki and WhatsApp on the vocabulary retention of Iranian EFL learners. The study’s design was quasi-experimental with three groups of WhatsApp-based vocabulary instruction, Anki-based vocabulary instruction and the traditional one. Sixty EFL learners studying English in a language institute participated in the study, and were divided into three groups of twenty. To ensure their homogeneity, a Solution Placement Test was given to them. After the treatment, the post-test was given to them to check their vocabulary retention. The results of the repeated measures ANOVA indicated that Anki-based and WhatsApp-based vocabulary instruction were effective in enhancing their vocabulary retention. The results of MANOVA showed that there were significant differences among the three groups in their vocabulary retention.

Technology has become a quintessential component of educational practice over the past years. Research in this area has shown that the integration of various technologies positively contributed to language education and facilitated learning different language skills. Despite the extensive application of computer assisted language learning for adults, little research has examined Young Language Learners’ (YLL) language development through technology. In this regard, the current study investigated the impact of using a mobile technology on YLLs’ (age range: 6 to 8) vocabulary development. Seventy-one learners participated in the study who were divided into a control (N = 32) and an experimental (N = 39) groups. Data were collected using a vocabulary test in three rounds of pre-test, post-test, and delayed post-test. The collected data in terms of vocabulary test scores were analyzed using mixed between-within subjects analysis of variance. The results revealed that the experimental group who used mobile devices for vocabulary learning outperformed the control group in the posttest and gained significant improvements in the delayed posttest. The study provides implications for various educational stakeholders including teachers, learners, and material developers to exploit the affordances of technology in effectively contributing to YLLs’ vocabulary development.

Background: The rapid growth of COVID-19 disease in recent days has led to the rapid development of mobile health applications. Objective: This study aims to evaluate the quality of applications which provide information related to Coronavirus in Iran. Method: A systematic search has been conducted in Cafebazaar (Iranian app store) between May-October 2020. The Mobile Application Ranking Scale (MARS) is used to evaluate mobile applications and includes 23 items. Result: After limiting Apps to the criteria specified in the systematic search, 13 mobile applications were downloaded from Bazaar Cafe, which have been evaluated in terms of functionality, engagement, aesthetics, information, and subjectivity. In general, the Apps analyzed in this article are in poor condition in terms of quality. The highest rated app is Mask (2.69) and the lowest score is for Corona (Statistics, video, map) (1.47). Conclusion: The findings of this study showed that coronavirus applications designed in Iran are not in a favorable position in terms of MARS indicators. The lowest average was related to the information indicator. This shows that there is no professionalism in designing applications and it is necessary to pay special attention to evidence-based information in designing self-care and prevention programs of COVID-19.

Purpose: The growth of Smartphone applications has led to the development and transformation of business sector. The present work aimed to assess factors influencing the intention to use shopping applications.Method: A structural model was formulated for analyzing and testing the existing factors among shopping application users. The statistical population of the research comprised of the users of shopping applications in a public university in Iran. This study employed a questionnaire survey, which consisted of two sections. The first section included general demographic details of the target respondents, while the second section comprised 30 items to measure the constructs of our conceptual model. All items of constructs were adopted from previous literature. A total of 288 questionnaires provided usable data.Findings: The results revealed that factors such as Convenience, Perceived Ease of Use, Trust, and Perceived usefulness affect the intention to use shopping applications, while factors such as Perceived Innovativeness, Perceived Risk, Perceived Enjoyment, and Social Influence were found to be non-influential.Conclusion: This research was conducted based on a comprehensive review of the research literature and identification of influential constructs with the approach of creating an integrated model of factors affecting the intention to use shopping applications. Based on the research results, focusing on ease of use and creating the experience of perceived usefulness along with the use of tools that lead to the improvement of trust is critical for practitioners.