The Meeting Point of Second Life and Web 2.0

2012 ◽  
pp. 132-150
Author(s):  
Ya-Chun Shih
Keyword(s):  
Graduate Students ◽  
Web 2.0 ◽  
Language Learning ◽  
Second Life ◽  
Computer Assisted ◽  
Computer Assisted Language Learning ◽  
Creative Writers ◽  
Language Classrooms ◽  
Descriptive Writing

Researchers and practitioners endeavoring to incorporate Second Life® (SL) and Web 2.0 into language classrooms promise greater practical value from computer-assisted language learning (CALL). This chapter provides an innovative approach to blog writing, exploring SL as an immersive experience that stimulates follow-up description, imagination, and writing creativity. Drawing on experiences in 2009 and 2010 in linking SL and Web 2.0 applications to inspire the writing of EFL (English as a Foreign Language) graduate students, this chapter describes the characteristics of descriptive writing and presents the process of learning and writing of these students in cooperation with their peers in order to discover within themselves the motivation to be creative writers.

The Meeting Point of Second Life® and Web 2.0

2014 ◽  
pp. 689-707
Author(s):  
Ya-Chun Shih
Keyword(s):  
Graduate Students ◽  
Web 2.0 ◽  
Language Learning ◽  
Second Life ◽  
Computer Assisted ◽  
Computer Assisted Language Learning ◽  
Creative Writers ◽  
Language Classrooms ◽  
Descriptive Writing

Researchers and practitioners endeavoring to incorporate Second Life® (SL) and Web 2.0 into language classrooms promise greater practical value from computer-assisted language learning (CALL). This chapter provides an innovative approach to blog writing, exploring SL as an immersive experience that stimulates follow-up description, imagination, and writing creativity. Drawing on experiences in 2009 and 2010 in linking SL and Web 2.0 applications to inspire the writing of EFL (English as a Foreign Language) graduate students, this chapter describes the characteristics of descriptive writing and presents the process of learning and writing of these students in cooperation with their peers in order to discover within themselves the motivation to be creative writers.

scholarly journals Virtual Classrooms in Brazil: teachers' difficulties and anxieties towards technology in language learning

2003 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. 115-132
Author(s):  
Andréa Machado de Almeida Mattos
Keyword(s):  
Language Learning ◽  
Teacher Development ◽  
Empirical Studies ◽  
Computer Assisted ◽  
Computer Assisted Language Learning ◽  
Virtual Classrooms ◽  
Language Classroom ◽  
Language Classrooms ◽  
Global Understanding ◽  
Learning Data

Many researchers, nowadays, have been enthusiastic in promoting the advantages of introducing technology in the language classroom, but few have been worried with the problems and anxieties that result from changes in a long-lasting culture such as the culture of language learning. This paper aims at discussing the problems faced by teachers who have been working with technology in their language classrooms. The research design was based on theoretical and empirical studies both in the areas of Computer Assisted Language Learning and Teacher Development. The main objective of this paper is, thus, to achieve a global understanding of the teachers' anxieties in relation to the virtual environment of language learning. Data was gathered through interviews with the teachers, leading to a qualitative analysis of the findings.

scholarly journals Computer assisted language learning in English language classrooms in Bosnia and Herzegovina

ExELL ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 14-46
Author(s):  
Nihada Delibegović Džanić ◽  
Amila Hasanspahić
Keyword(s):  
Information Technology ◽  
Language Learning ◽  
Bosnia And Herzegovina ◽  
English Language ◽  
Computer Assisted ◽  
Computer Assisted Language Learning ◽  
Empirical Examination ◽  
Teachers And Students ◽  
Language Classrooms ◽  
English Language Classrooms

AbstractThe paper examines the application of computer assisted language learning (CALL) in English language classes in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The research was designed as an empirical examination of the attitudes of teachers and students on the successful application of computer assisted language learning in English language classrooms in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Lack of motivation is one the problems that most teachers are faced with. There are many causes of poor motivation, but one of them is certainly the unattractiveness and dullness of traditional methods, teaching materials and resources. However, many authors with educational experience point out that the use of information technology can positively influence students’ motivation and encourage them to work actively. While adults, as digital immigrants, might not use modern information technology excessively, children and teens are true digital natives, who have grown up with the latest technologies and use them with great pleasure in all aspects of their lives adapting them to their needs (Prensky, 2001). The results obtained in this research are an indicator of the current attitude of teachers and students towards these issues, but they also highlight some important necessary reforms in the field of teacher education.

Guerrilla fan translation, language learning, and metalinguistic discussion in a Catalan-speaking community of gamers

ReCALL ◽  
2020 ◽  
pp. 1-18
Author(s):  
Boris Vazquez-Calvo
Keyword(s):  
Language Learning ◽  
Cultural Production ◽  
Computer Assisted ◽  
Computer Assisted Language Learning ◽  
New Members ◽  
Fertile Ground ◽  
Language Classrooms ◽  
Learning Language ◽  
Effective Integration

Abstract Driven by their affinity to popular culture, fans frequently engage in linguistic practices that may be conducive to language learning. This study seeks to find out how a group of Catalan-speaking gamers decided to start producing fan translations of video games from English into Catalan. Based on a digital ethnography (online interviews and observation of the group’s activity), two types of analysis were conducted: a content analysis for recurrent trends and a focused analysis of internal metalinguistic discussions on the quality of translations. Results indicate that fan translators (1) organize hierarchically with set roles and functions, (2) curate their group identity and care for the promotion of Catalan as a vehicle for cultural production, (3) learn language incidentally in three ways: while translating (ensuring the comprehension of English and the linguistic quality and creativity of the transfer into Catalan), through sharing language doubts with their peers on their Telegram group and dialogically agreeing on pragmatically acceptable English-Catalan translations, and through metalinguistic discussions on translation tests received from potential new members. The study resonates with a novel subfield in computer-assisted language learning: language learning in the digital wilds, which might be fertile ground for studies on incidental and informal language learning online. The study may also serve as inspiration for effective integration of translation into language classrooms in a manner that bridges vernacular fan translation and pedagogic translation, considering the importance of metalinguistic discussion for language learning and the sociocultural dimension of both translation and language learning.

scholarly journals Using Computer-assisted Language Learning in Classrooms: What Does Research Say about Teachers' Beliefs and Practices?

2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (6) ◽  
pp. 723
Author(s):  
Zainab Alsuhaibani
Keyword(s):  
Language Learning ◽  
Information And Communication Technologies ◽  
Teaching And Learning ◽  
Computer Assisted ◽  
Computer Assisted Language Learning ◽  
Beliefs And Practices ◽  
Equal Importance ◽  
Teachers Beliefs ◽  
Language Classrooms ◽  
Beliefs About Technology

The last decades have witnessed the introduction of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) into the field of education. This introduction has brought in major changes in the traditional view of language teaching and learning. Accordingly, the implementation of technology through Computer-Assisted Language Learning (CALL) and its success has become of particular interest. However, the success of CALL implementation does not merely depend only on economic investments. In fact, teachers play a major role in using technology successfully in classrooms (Galvis, 2012). Thus, it is important to investigate teachers' beliefs about CALL implementation and see whether they practically practice their beliefs in classrooms. Of equal importance is to investigate and question why some teachers do not practice their beliefs. This paper attempts to shed light on teachers' beliefs and practices of CALL implementation in classrooms. First, teachers' beliefs are defined and their importance and formation process are presented.  Then, teachers' beliefs about CALL implementation in language classrooms are discussed along with the factors that affect them. A discussion of whether teachers' beliefs about technology entail their actual practice is then provided. Finally, barriers hindering teaches' practices of technology in language classrooms are explained.

Amusing Minds for Joyful Learning through E-Gaming

2011 ◽  
pp. 1280-1297
Author(s):  
Zhuo Li ◽  
Feng Liu ◽  
Jeff Boyer
Keyword(s):  
Language Acquisition ◽  
Language Learning ◽  
Classroom Practice ◽  
Computer Assisted ◽  
Computer Assisted Language Learning ◽  
Language Classrooms ◽  
Electronic Games

The purpose of this chapter is to investigate the present use of e-gaming in language acquisition along with its potential and challenges. We review the use of traditional, non-electronic games for language acquisition, provide a brief introduction of computer-assisted language learning (CALL), and examine the use of electronic games in language learning. Although there is limited research on the use of electronic games in language acquisition, potential exists for the integration of electronic games in language classrooms. In addition, more in-depth research is still needed in this field. For classroom practice, we provide a resource of online e-games for practitioners.

Amusing Minds for Joyful Learning through E-Gaming

2011 ◽  
pp. 132-150 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zhuo Li ◽  
Feng Liu ◽  
Jeff Boyer
Keyword(s):  
Language Acquisition ◽  
Language Learning ◽  
Classroom Practice ◽  
Computer Assisted ◽  
Computer Assisted Language Learning ◽  
Language Classrooms ◽  
Electronic Games

The purpose of this chapter is to investigate the present use of e-gaming in language acquisition along with its potential and challenges. We review the use of traditional, non-electronic games for language acquisition, provide a brief introduction of computer-assisted language learning (CALL), and examine the use of electronic games in language learning. Although there is limited research on the use of electronic games in language acquisition, potential exists for the integration of electronic games in language classrooms. In addition, more in-depth research is still needed in this field. For classroom practice, we provide a resource of online e-games for practitioners.

scholarly journals EFL learner collaborative interaction in Second Life

ReCALL ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 24 (1) ◽  
pp. 20-39 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mark Peterson
Keyword(s):  
Language Learning ◽  
Virtual Worlds ◽  
Second Life ◽  
Target Language ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Computer Assisted ◽  
Computer Assisted Language Learning ◽  
Multiuser Virtual Environment ◽  
Computer Based ◽  
Collaborative Interaction

AbstractThis paper reports on the task-based interaction of English as a Foreign Language (EFL) learners in the 3D multiuser virtual environment (MUVE) Second Life. The discussion first explores research on the precursors of MUVEs, text-based 2D virtual worlds known as MOOs. This is followed by an examination of studies on the use of MUVEs in Computer Assisted Language Learning (CALL). The discussion then focuses on an investigation of the Second Life-based text chat of learners located at a university in Japan. Data analysis reveals that the environment, and tasks, elicited types of collaborative interaction hypothesized as beneficial in the sociocultural account of language development. Collaborative interaction identified in the data involved peer-scaffolding focusing on lexis, and correction. The data further showed that the participants actively maintained a supportive atmosphere through the provision of utterances designed to signal interest, and the extensive use of positive politeness. These factors facilitated social cohesion, intersubjectivity, and the consistent production of coherent target language output focused on the tasks. Participant feedback was broadly positive, and indicates that specific features of Second Life such as individual avatars, coupled to the computer-based nature of the interaction, appeared to enhance discourse management, engagement, and participation. The findings suggest that Second Life provides an arena for learner centered social interaction that offers valuable opportunities for target language practice, and the development of autonomy. Areas of potential for future research are identified.

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