The Effect of Stereoscopic Three-Dimensional Images on Vocabulary Learning

Özet

Vocabulary is crucial for language learning. Therefore, searching for the most effectivemethods to master vocabulary is an important quest. This study investigated the effect ofstereoscopic three-dimensional (S3D) images on recall and retention of foreign languagevocabulary. S3D images, frequently used in virtual reality visualizations, are highly realisticand differ from non-stereoscopic three-dimensional (NS3D) images in that they provide animpression of depth. In this within-subject study, American subjects (N = 82) were exposedto 16 Polish words accompanied by corresponding images. Half of these images were inNS3D format, and half were in S3D format. The vocabulary was counterbalanced throughoutfour randomly distributed versions of the experiment. Quantitative data were drawn fromimmediately administered and one-week-delayed productive and receptive vocabularytests. Qualitative data were gathered through background questionnaires and follow-upsurveys, which included a mixture of open-ended and Likert scale questions. Two-tailed,paired t-tests showed no significant difference on vocabulary recall and retention of testscores for words represented with NS3D and S3D images. Post hoc tests revealed that lowerperformance on S3D images occurred only for those subgroups of subjects who exhibiteddiscomfort or lack of experience with S3D technology, or both.