The Impact of Mobile Application-Assisted Instruction on Intrinsic Motivation and Sports Nutrition Knowledge: The Case of Blended Learning

Abstract

Abstract— In the physical education literature, E-learning in terms of online or blended learning has been lacking and facing several challenges which highlighted a need to conduct more research to investigate modern instruction in the context of physical education. This study is one of the few to determine the impact of Mobile Application-Assisted Instruction (MAAI) on intrinsic motivation and sports nutrition knowledge in a blended learning setting. The “KI-coach” app has been used as a state of an art mobile application based on artificial intelligence. This study adopted quasi experimental approach. Students were randomly assigned into a control group (n=25) that received the convolutional instruction method and an experimental group (n=25) that received MAAI. Study groups adopted a blended learning approach. Measures of intrinsic motivation and sports nutrition knowledge were administered to both groups before and after teaching the nutrition and physical performance course. The ANCOVA analysis revealed a statistically significant difference between the mean scores of the two groups on intrinsic motivation and sports nutrition knowledge. These findings indicated that using MAAI in blended learning promoted the development of intrinsic motivation and enhanced sports nutrition knowledge among physical education students. These findings encourage the decision-makers at the Ministry of higher education and physical education instructors to improve blended learning instruction and practice.