PERLS Pilot Study Report

Abstract

The purpose of this pilot study was to investigate usability of the PERLS (PERvasive Learning System) app and its potential for micro-learning by exploring the nature of Flagship students’ engagement with it, identifying the strengths and weaknesses of its content and technological features, and determining how the app can promote and sustain language learning for both pre- and post-Capstone Flagship students. The pilot study took place during a 2-week period (July 17-August 1, 2017). Participants were 11 pre-Capstone and one post-Capstone Chinese Flagship students who participated in two 30-minute semi-structured interviews conducted at the end of the rst week (Round 1) and at the end of the second week of the pilot study (Round 2). Data obtained from 21 interviews (i.e., 12 interviews from Round 1 and nine interviews from Round 2) were summarily transcribed and qualitatively analyzed to identify emergent themes relevant to the purpose of the pilot study. Based on the analysis of the interview data, this report presents an executive summary of the main ndings and o ers recommendations for improving PERLS.