Apps/Reward System

Hi all!

This week I have done some research on some apps that may be helpful for Zach, as he starts his journey to learning French!

I have also looked into the benefits of a rewards system, and how that can help keep him motivated!

Below are a few apps that can be helpful to someone learning a new language!

• Duolingo -Zach will be using this one!
• Rosetta Stone
• Memrise
• Busuu
• HelloTalk
• Babbel
• Beelinguapp

Source: 
https://www.makeuseof.com/tag/five-free-apps-help-learn-foreign-language/

Duolingo: This is the app that Zach has chosen! A video about duo lingo can be seen below!

Next, I am creating a badge system (like we do in this course) to help keep Zach motivated while learning French! There will be 5 badges (months, days, numbers 1-20, Basic French and Basic French 2.0). Once he earns all 5 badges, he gets to order his choice of takeout, on me!

Source: https://www.bookwidgets.com/blog/2017/01/using-reward-systems-to-motivate-students

This site explains that rewards systems can help with motivation, which is exactly what I am trying to do! The badges will look like...

Badge #1:

To earn this badge Zach must...

• be able to say all 12 months in French
• be able to say them out of order
• be able to translate from French-English and English to French

Badge #2:

To earn this badge Zach must...

• be able to say all 7 days in French
• be able to say them out of order
• be able to translate from French-English and English to French

Badge #3:

To earn this badge Zach must...

• be able to say all 20 numbers in French
• be able to say them out of order
• be able to translate from French-English and English to French

Badge #4:

To earn this badge Zach must...

• be able to say basic greetings (hello, goodbye)
• be able to say how he is doing (I am doing well, and you)
• be able to communicate if he doesn't understand/has a question

Badge #5:

To earn this badge Zach must...

• be able to introduce himself with some detail (Hi my name is Zach. I enjoy playing soccer and studying science...)
• be able to order food
• be able to use vocabulary he has learned as completing the other badges

Reflection time!

This week I worked hard on finding some ways that would keep Zach motivated on his language learning journey! I had to think about how interests and how I could incorporate those into this project! Firstly, Zach loves apps and technology. He loves games and doing anything with his iPad. Knowing this, and based off of the research, I knew an app would be very beneficial to use. After looking at the different app options, and based off of my personal experience, I knew that Duolingo would be an awesome start! I also know that Zach would be motivated with me buying him dinner, if he accomplishes his learning, so I thought why not create a reward/badge system! I know he will be more motivated to follow through with this and it will benefit him in the long run!

Looking at what I learned this week, I can say I have been able to develop 2 strategies I think will really help Zach learn French. I learned about the importance of using an app/fun games to help someone learn a language but also the importance of motivation! I did have a bit of trouble figuring out the badge system and how it was going to work, but then I remembered, I can always change it to fir Zach's learning needs and depending on how quickly he learns. 

For my next genius hour, I need to get Zach started on this app, and explain the rewards system to him. I need to look into engaging ways for me to help him learn the months of the year in French (he loves music and songs, so this might be a good strategy).  So, from here I think that Zach can start working though Duolingo, and he can start working on his first badge. In the near future, I am going to teach him the months of the year, so stay tuned for a video of him completing that!

If you have any questions, or suggestions, please feel free to let me know!

Until next time,

Sydney