Aim/PurposeThis study examines how the use of a Mobile Assisted Language Learning (MALL) application influences the learners' attitudes towards the process of learning, and more specifically in voluntary and mandatory environments. Background Mobile devices and applications, which have become an integral part of our lives, are used for different purposes, including educational objectives. Among others, they are used in the process of foreign language acquisition. The use of a MALL application to learn foreign languages has advantages and drawbacks, which are important to understand, in order to achieve better learning results, while improving the enjoyment of the process. MethodologyThe study population included people who participated in a foreign language course and used Duolingo application on a mobile device in parallel. One group consisted of high school pupils, who were obliged to use the application and filled in before and after questionnaires. The other group consisted of people who took face-to-face courses, and chose to use the same Duolingo application voluntarily, in order to assist their studies. The second group answered another questionnaire tailored to more experienced users. The findings were analyzed using IBM SPSS version 22, and a model was examined with Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling. Contribution This paper helps to understand the perceived advantages and drawbacks of using a MALL application by students both in mandatory and voluntary environments. FindingsMost of the participants found the MALL Duolingo application enhanced the learning process. The gamification characteristics, ease of use, ubiquity and selfLearning Foreign Languages Using Mobile Applications 302 learning facilities had a stimulating effect on the process of learning, and contributed to the willingness to continue using the application and to recommend it to others. However, some statistically significant differences were found between the groups, referring to the characteristics of the application, among them ubiquity, lack of human feedback and simplicity of use. Recommendations for PractitionersThe research findings can contribute to both teachers and students who conduct and participate in foreign language courses, by helping them examine the possibility of combining mobile learning with a traditional face-to-face course. Moreover, the findings can assist developers of mobile learning applications, in order to include gamification options in the process of learning. Recommendation for ResearchersResearchers in the fields of mobile applications and m-learning need to understand the factors enhancing the learning process, in order to develop the next generations of m-learning applications. Impact on Society Mobile devices have become an accessory that almost every person in the world uses. Its ubiquitous characteristics allow using it everywhere and anytime. This is an opportunity to facilitate education to people all around the world. Gamification of m-learning applications can promote an...

Aim/PurposeThis study examines how the use of a Mobile Assisted Language Learning (MALL) application influences the learners' attitudes towards the process of learning, and more specifically in voluntary and mandatory environments. Background Mobile devices and applications, which have become an integral part of our lives, are used for different purposes, including educational objectives. Among others, they are used in the process of foreign language acquisition. The use of a MALL application to learn foreign languages has advantages and drawbacks, which are important to understand, in order to achieve better learning results, while improving the enjoyment of the process. MethodologyThe study population included people who participated in a foreign language course and used Duolingo application on a mobile device in parallel. One group consisted of high school pupils, who were obliged to use the application and filled in before and after questionnaires. The other group consisted of people who took face-to-face courses, and chose to use the same Duolingo application voluntarily, in order to assist their studies. The second group answered another questionnaire tailored to more experienced users. The findings were analyzed using IBM SPSS version 22, and a model was examined with Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling. Contribution This paper helps to understand the perceived advantages and drawbacks of using a MALL application by students both in mandatory and voluntary environments. FindingsMost of the participants found the MALL Duolingo application enhanced the learning process. The gamification characteristics, ease of use, ubiquity and selfLearning Foreign Languages Using Mobile Applications 302 learning facilities had a stimulating effect on the process of learning, and contributed to the willingness to continue using the application and to recommend it to others. However, some statistically significant differences were found between the groups, referring to the characteristics of the application, among them ubiquity, lack of human feedback and simplicity of use. Recommendations for PractitionersThe research findings can contribute to both teachers and students who conduct and participate in foreign language courses, by helping them examine the possibility of combining mobile learning with a traditional face-to-face course. Moreover, the findings can assist developers of mobile learning applications, in order to include gamification options in the process of learning. Recommendation for ResearchersResearchers in the fields of mobile applications and m-learning need to understand the factors enhancing the learning process, in order to develop the next generations of m-learning applications. Impact on Society Mobile devices have become an accessory that almost every person in the world uses. Its ubiquitous characteristics allow using it everywhere and anytime. This is an opportunity to facilitate education to people all around the world. Gamification of m-learning applications can promote an...

Gamification to perform tedious tasks in an enjoyable way is used in e-learning systems. This study examines in what manner gamification elements affect the e-learning experience in software studies. Two similar e-learning platforms were developed with the aim to teach basic Linux commands, one of them including gaming elements. One group (92 participants) studied using the gamified platform, and another group (47) using a non-gamified platform. The findings show that although the exam grades were not statistically different between the groups, the motivation to learn and continue learning after this experience was higher in the group using a gamified e-learning platform.

The increasing number of patients using medical devices that are based on Internet of Things (IoT) technology presents physicians with a variety of challenges. The purpose of this exploratory research is to provide first insights into the way physicians perceive FDA approved IoT medical devices (IoT-MDs). A questionnaire was developed and improved after a pilot survey with the participation of 23 physicians. Data was collected from 126 physicians in 2014 and from another 50 in 2015, who answered the questionnaire, as well as from four physicians, who were interviewed. The combined results were analyzed, and a comparison between the two surveys was made. Results show that there is still not enough awareness and readiness for the use of IoT-MDs, and that there was no significant change in physicians' attitudes in 2015 compared to 2014. However, results show some differences between physicians who had previously been exposed to IoT technology and those who had not. The authors believe that IoTMDs generate data that is too raw for practical use, thereby limiting potential effectiveness. Applications that extract and highlight measured irregularities and that provide high-level, integrated information will increase physicians' openness to IoT-MDs, and will enable medical practice to be more efficient.