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Original scientific article

ENHANCING VOCABULARY ACQUISITION FOR NEURODIVERGENT LANGUAGE LEARNERS USING COGNITIVE LOAD OPTIMIZATION IN AUGMENTED REALIT

By
Durdona Niyozova Orcid logo ,
Durdona Niyozova

Bukhara State Medical Institute named after Abu Ali ibn Sino , Bukhara , Uzbekistan

Doston Mizrobov Orcid logo ,
Doston Mizrobov

2Bukhara State Medical Institute named after Abu Ali ibn Sino , Bukhara , Uzbekistan

Akmal Allakuliev Orcid logo ,
Akmal Allakuliev

Lecturer, Kimyo International University in Tashkent , Tashkent , Uzbekistan

Shakhnoza Khamdamova Orcid logo ,
Shakhnoza Khamdamova

Fergana Medical Institute of Public Health, Department of Uzbek and Foreign Languages , Fergana , Uzbekistan

Azizbek Ismailov Orcid logo ,
Azizbek Ismailov

Rector, Alfraganus University , Tashkent , Uzbekistan

Zafarjon Toshboev Orcid logo ,
Zafarjon Toshboev

Lecturer, Jizzakh State Pedagogical University , Jizzakh , Uzbekistan

Shukhrat Khasanov Orcid logo
Shukhrat Khasanov

Associate Professor, Tashkent State Medical University , Tashkent , Uzbekistan

Abstract

This paper examines whether or not Augmented Reality (AR) is effective in the acquisition of vocabulary in neurodivergent language learners using the Cognitive Load Theory. The conventional teaching methods tend to cause a lot of extraneous cognitive load that poses a great obstacle to students with ADHD and Autism Spectrum Disorder. To combat this, an AR-based learning environment was created with the particular aim of maximizing cognitive resources through the reduction of visual clutter and delivery of spatial, just-in-time linguistic cues. The quantitative experimental design was used, whereby 60 neurodivergent individuals were randomly allocated to either an AR-enhanced experimental group or a conventional digital interface control group. The instrument of data collection was the NASA-TLX (Task Load Index), which was used to determine the cited perceived cognitive effort, and pre- and post-tests were conducted to determine the short- and long-term vocabulary retention. Statistical analysis is a strong indicator of the success of the intervention. Results from independent samples t-tests indicate that the AR group experienced a statistically significant reduction in cognitive load (t (58) = -8.92, p < 0.001) and a massive improvement in long-term retention (t (58) = 11.45, p < 0.001) compared to the control group. Specifically, the experimental group maintained a mean delayed post-test score of 82.4%, while the control group dropped significantly to 54.3%, yielding a large effect size of Cohen's d = 1.42. Moreover, the total task load and delayed recall accuracy are correlated (r = -0.74). Such results imply that the AR with the optimization of the cognitive load is a better pedagogical approach to inclusive language education. The study can be utilized in developing a data-driven, scalable model of technologically neuro-inclusive designs, where cognitive accessibility is a priority, as opposed to conventional rote memorization.

References

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Citation

This is an open access article distributed under the  Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial License (CC BY-NC) License which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. 

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