Abstract:

In the rapidly evolving landscape of education and healthcare, leveraging technology to enhance learning experiences and professional training has become increasingly crucial. The DR FLEMP (Digital Reality for Foreign Language Education and Medical Professionals) project aims to develop an innovative Mixed Reality (MR) application to support language education and healthcare training. To ensure the application's effectiveness and relevance, it is vital to understand the needs and expectations of key stakeholders, including language instructors, students, nursing/medical/healthcare instructors, and professionals. A survey was conducted across Cyprus, Sweden, Lithuania, and Germany, utilizing an online questionnaire aiming to gather the opinions and perspectives of key stakeholders, including language instructors, students, nursing/medical/healthcare instructors, and healthcare professionals. The objective was to understand the needs and expectations of potential end users regarding the development of the DR FLEMP MR application. The online survey was distributed by each project partner to their respective key stakeholders. The survey consisted of several sections, tailored to the specific interests and expertise of instructors, professionals, and students. These sections encompassed the following areas:
(1) Demographic data,
(2) Existing learning materials for Foreign Language Education (for Instructors/Professionals only),
(3) Previous experience with MR (Mixed Reality) Applications,
(4) Expectations on potential MR Application use, and
(5) Needs in terms of assessment and evaluation.
Convenience sampling was employed to select participants based on their easy availability and accessibility to the researchers. In total, 64 participants responded to the survey across the four countries. The findings of this cross-country analysis shed light on the diverse needs and expectations of stakeholders regarding the DR FLEMP application. The data collected provide insights into the utilization of multimedia learning materials currently employed by instructors, professionals, and students. Furthermore, the survey illuminates the participants' previous experience with MR applications and their anticipated benefits and uses for the DR FLEMP application. Additionally, the study addresses the stakeholders' assessment and evaluation requirements in the context of foreign language education and healthcare training. The results of this survey serve as valuable input for the development of the DR FLEMP MR application, enabling the project team to better align the application with the specific demands and preferences of its intended users. Moreover, this survey contributes to the broader understanding of the role of technology-enhanced learning in language education and healthcare training specifically, emphasizing the importance of tailoring applications to meet the diverse needs and expectations of stakeholders across different countries and professional domains.

Keywords:

Foreign Language Learning, Medical Professionals, Healthcare, Mixed Reality, Extended Reality, Virtual Reality, Augmented Reality, Survey.