Does Fantasy Enhance Learning In Digital Games?

2010 ◽  
pp. 84-95 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mahboubeh Asgari ◽  
David Kaufman
Keyword(s):  
Digital Games ◽  
Role Playing ◽  
Learning Motivation ◽  
Learning Activities ◽  
Key Factors ◽  
Role Playing Games ◽  
Learning Content ◽  
Games For Learning ◽  
Males And Females ◽  
Integration Of Learning

Digital games have the potential to create environments that increase motivation, engage learners, and support learning. This chapter focuses on fantasy as one of the motivational features of games, and explores the relationships among digital games, fantasy, and learning. The authors describe game characteristics and the key factors that make digital games motivational and compelling – important factors in designing games for learning. Motivation is critical in engaging students in learning activities, and this chapter explores fantasy as an important motivational feature in digital games, the popular genre of fantasy role-playing games such as Dungeons & Dragons, and the importance of creating different kinds of fantasies for males and females. Finally, the authors explore the integration of learning content in fantasy contexts in digital games.

A Reference Architecture for Game-Based Intelligent Tutoring

2011 ◽  
pp. 658-682 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dennis Maciuszek ◽  
Alke Martens
Keyword(s):  
Computer Games ◽  
Intelligent Tutoring ◽  
Role Playing ◽  
Genre Studies ◽  
Reference Architecture ◽  
Tutoring Systems ◽  
Role Playing Games ◽  
Learning Content ◽  
Educational Computer ◽  
Game Elements

Educational computer games may improve learning experiences and learning outcomes. However, many off-the-shelf games still fail at smoothly integrating learning content into gameplay mechanisms. In addition, they do make an effort at adapting educational content to individual learners. Learner models and adaptivity, as applied by Intelligent Tutoring Systems (ITSs), address this problem. A solution to the integration dilemma would ideally be found at the software architecture level. Assuming the perspective of the software engineer, this chapter reviews published game-based ITS architectures. The most promising approaches are partially integrated architectures, which replace sub-systems of Clancey’s (1984) classic ITS architecture with corresponding game elements. In order to provide a reference to developers, this chapter follows up on these ideas and proposes a unifying game-based ITS architecture based on genre studies of computer role-playing games.

scholarly journals Analysis of learning activities included in English text directed at students of Hospitality and Tourism

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (16) ◽  
pp. 512-522
Author(s):  
Johanna Pizarro Romero ◽  
Sara Vera Quiñonez ◽  
Jessenia Anabel Matamoros ◽  
Kleber Oswaldo Sarmiento Chugcho
Keyword(s):  
Role Playing ◽  
Learning Activities ◽  
Learning Activity ◽  
Role Playing Games ◽  
Group 4 ◽  
Group 3 ◽  
Hospitality And Tourism ◽  
Group 5 ◽  
Group 2 ◽  
Teaching Learning

English for Specific Purposes (IFE) textbooks are an important tool in the teaching-learning process of English. The purpose of this study was to identify the preferences of the learning activities included in an IFE textbook that the students of Hospitality and Tourism. The sample was 97 students. The survey was structured by abilities in listening comprehension, reading, writing, among others, for the analysis the LT-Lab software was applied divided into six groups according to their abilities. The results showed: group 1 the preferred learning activities: videos, web sources and songs; group 2, use of grammar, vocabulary, games, reading comprehension; group 3, role-playing games, dialogues, vocabulary and description; group 4, in the videos; group 5, readings and web sources, group 6, read, complete the sentences and crossword puzzles. In conclusion, the learning activity included in an ESP textbook preferred by the students were videos, web sources, songs, use of grammar, vocabulary, among others.

Digital Hallyu 2.0: Transnationalization of Local Digital Games

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dal Yong Jin
Keyword(s):  
Rapid Growth ◽  
Digital Games ◽  
Role Playing ◽  
Online Games ◽  
Online Gaming ◽  
Digital Culture ◽  
Digital Game ◽  
Role Playing Games ◽  
Korean Wave ◽  
Western Market

This chapter maps out the growth of locally based digital games. In the twenty-first century, the New Korean Wave has been expanding with the rapid growth of digital culture, in particular with online gaming. The rapid growth of the Korean digital game industry, including online gaming, and its export into the Western market have raised a fundamental question of whether digital culture has changed the nature of the Korean Wave, from a regionally focused intracultural flow to include a Western-focused contraflow. The chapter attempts to discuss the ways in which local online games, in particular massively multiplayer online role-playing games (MMORPGs), have advanced contraflow. In addition, it discusses a changing trend in the digital game sector, which has been occurring due to both the increasing role of China's game industries and the emergence of mobile gaming in the smartphone era. It also maps out the process by which Korean online games are appropriated for Western game users in a form of “glocalization”in both content and structure. Finally, the chapter articulates whether this new trend can diminish an asymmetrical cultural flow between the West and the East.

A Review of Research on the Application of Digital Games in Foreign Language Education

2022 ◽  
pp. 1948-1971
Author(s):  
Mark Peterson ◽  
Jeremy White ◽  
Maryam Sadat Mirzaei ◽  
Qiao Wang
Keyword(s):  
Language Learning ◽  
Experimental Studies ◽  
Language Education ◽  
Digital Games ◽  
Role Playing ◽  
Target Language ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Computer Assisted ◽  
Role Playing Games

The use of digital games represents an expanding domain in computer-assisted language learning (CALL) research. This chapter reviews the findings of 26 learner-based studies in this area that are informed by cognitive and social accounts of SLA. The analysis shows that massively multiplayer online role-playing games (MMORPGs) are the most frequently investigated game type and the majority of studies involved EFL learners in higher education. Mixed methods were the most frequent research tool utilized by researchers. Limitations of current research include the preponderance of small-scale experimental studies that investigated only a limited number of factors. Although the research is not conclusive, findings indicate that game play facilitates collaboration, the production of target language output, vocabulary learning, and reduces the influence of factors that inhibit learning. This chapter concludes by identifying promising areas for future research.

scholarly journals “IT’S OVER 9000.” APEIRON NARRATIVE CONFIGURATIONS IN CONTEMPORARY MEDIASCAPE

2018 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 79-94
Author(s):  
Vincenzo Idone Cassone
Keyword(s):  
New Media ◽  
Growth Process ◽  
Digital Games ◽  
Role Playing ◽  
Individual Growth ◽  
The Internet ◽  
Internet Culture ◽  
Role Playing Games ◽  
The Individual

Recently, a peculiar narrative configuration has developed and is spreading through the internet culture and new media. Characterised by a specific representation of the individual growth process, Apeiron narratives find their origin in pen & paper role-playing games, but it is only after the development of digital games and the diffusion of the Japanese cultural codex through the contemporary mediascape that they have become a coherent, autonomous and viral phenomenon. In the following pages, this narrative configuration will be described through a series of paradigmatic examples; its roots will be traced back to the peculiar traits of role-playing games, and the importance of recent digital adaptation will be highlighted. Finally, I will describe its diffusion beyond the domain of fictional text, hinting at possible environments for its diffusion.

scholarly journals Worldfulness, Role-enrichment & Moving Rituals: Design Ideas for CRPGs

2016 ◽  
Vol 2 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Erik Champion
Keyword(s):  
Social Presence ◽  
Virtual Worlds ◽  
Computer Games ◽  
Cultural Practices ◽  
Digital Games ◽  
Role Playing ◽  
Role Playing Games ◽  
Traditional Cultures ◽  
Different Cultures ◽  
Design Ideas

Roles and rituals are essential for creating, situating and maintaining cultural practices. Computer Role-Playing games (CRPGs) and virtual online worlds that appear to simulate different cultures are well known and highly popular. So it might appear that the roles and rituals of traditional cultures are easily ported to computer games. However, I contend that the meaning behind worlds, rituals and roles are not fully explored in these digital games and virtual worlds and that more needs to be done in order to create worldfulness, moving rituals and role enrichment. I will provide examples from The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion and The ElderScrolls V: Skyrim (Bethesda, 2006, 2011) to reveal some of the difficulties in creating digitally simulated social and cultural worlds, but I will also suggest some design ideas that could improve them in terms of cultural presence and social presence.

scholarly journals Making Sense of Digital Game-Based Learning: A Learning Theory-Based Typology Useful for Teachers

2018 ◽  
Vol 8 (4) ◽  
pp. 1
Author(s):  
Min Lun Wu
Keyword(s):  
Game Design ◽  
Digital Games ◽  
Role Playing ◽  
Subject Area ◽  
Educational Game ◽  
Digital Game ◽  
Game Based Learning ◽  
Role Playing Games ◽  
Making Sense ◽  
Commercial Off The Shelf

Digital game-based learning (DGBL) has gained traction on various educational levels in recent years as educators continue to seek best practices and researchers keep conducting studies to investigate the affordances and constraints of such technology-mediated instruction. This paper discusses the intersections between the historical development of educational digital games and contemporary theories of learning. Resultant from the review, a typology of educational digital games consisting of four genres -- edutainment and educational game applications, serious games, commercial off the shelf and massive multiplayer online role-playing games, and educational game design tools--is devised to help teachers interested in digital games better understand the pedagogical processes and cope with challenges involved in implementing DGBL. The paper concludes with the importance that the implementation of different genres of educational digital games in instruction entails teachers’ usage of different pedagogical strategies in accordance with the chosen game genre and opportunities to teach subject area content.

scholarly journals Gaming as extramural English L2 learning and L2 proficiency among young learners

ReCALL ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 24 (3) ◽  
pp. 302-321 ◽  
Author(s):  
Liss Kerstin Sylvén ◽  
Pia Sundqvist
Keyword(s):  
English Learners ◽  
A Priori ◽  
Digital Games ◽  
Role Playing ◽  
Background Information ◽  
Proficiency Tests ◽  
L2 Proficiency ◽  
Role Playing Games ◽  
L2 Learning ◽  
Positive Correlations

AbstractToday, playing digital games is an important part of many young people's everyday lives. Claims have been made that certain games, in particular massively multiplayer online role-playing games (MMORPGs) provide L2 English learners with a linguistically rich and cognitively challenging virtual environment that may be conducive to L2 learning, as learners get ample opportunities for L2 input and scaffolded interaction in the L2. In this paper, we present empirical evidence that L2 English proficiency correlates with the frequency of gaming and types of games played. We base our observation on a study among young L2 English learners (N = 86, aged 11–12, Sweden). Data were collected through a questionnaire, a language diary, and three proficiency tests. The questionnaire provided demographic background information but was also targeted at measuring extramural English habits, i.e., learners’ out-of-school contact with English (cf. Sundqvist, 2009). The diary measured how much time the learners spent on seven predetermined extramural English activities during one week, while the tests measured their achieved L2 proficiency regarding reading and listening comprehension, and vocabulary. Previous research among learners aged 15–16 (Sundqvist, 2009) showed positive correlations between playing digital games and L2 proficiency, in particular with regard to vocabulary, and also identified gender-related differences regarding vocabulary (boys outperformed girls) as well as the frequency of gaming and types of games played. These results were corroborated in the present study. A clear pattern emerged from our data: frequent gamers (≥ 5 hours/week) outperformed moderate gamers who, in turn, outperformed non-gamers. Background variables could not explain the between-group differences. Even though the boys might have been more proficient or apt than the girls a priori and, therefore, chose to engage more in L2 gaming, the findings suggest that playing digital games at an early age can be important for L2 acquisition.

scholarly journals Heroine’s journey to love: Spatial rhetoric in romantic subplots in BioWare’s fantasy RPGs

2021 ◽  
Vol 29 (38) ◽  
pp. 191-204
Author(s):  
Magdalena Bednorz
Keyword(s):  
Digital Games ◽  
Role Playing ◽  
Courtly Love ◽  
Spatial Structures ◽  
Shared Experience ◽  
Role Playing Games ◽  
Heroine's Journey ◽  
Spatial Rhetoric ◽  
Spatial Positioning

This article explores the potential of digital games to encode references encompassing specific cultural ideas of romantic love within their spatial structures, thus helping guide the player’s interpretation of romance as they interact with and move through those spaces. It undertakes an analysis of romantic subplots in BioWare’s fantasy role-playing games, specifically those which reappropriate the courtly love trope, and discusses elements of that remediation which rely heavily on spatial metaphors and structures, including the shared experience of heroic journey, the role of questing for the development of romance, and spatial positioning of lovers on the game map. Through its analysis, the article explores how digital games can employ spatial rhetoric while approaching topics of love, and how they are equipped to represent the materiality and spatiality of love and love narratives.

A Review of Research on the Application of Digital Games in Foreign Language Education

2020 ◽  
pp. 69-92 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mark Peterson ◽  
Jeremy White ◽  
Maryam Sadat Mirzaei ◽  
Qiao Wang
Keyword(s):  
Language Learning ◽  
Experimental Studies ◽  
Language Education ◽  
Digital Games ◽  
Role Playing ◽  
Target Language ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Computer Assisted ◽  
Role Playing Games

The use of digital games represents an expanding domain in computer-assisted language learning (CALL) research. This chapter reviews the findings of 26 learner-based studies in this area that are informed by cognitive and social accounts of SLA. The analysis shows that massively multiplayer online role-playing games (MMORPGs) are the most frequently investigated game type and the majority of studies involved EFL learners in higher education. Mixed methods were the most frequent research tool utilized by researchers. Limitations of current research include the preponderance of small-scale experimental studies that investigated only a limited number of factors. Although the research is not conclusive, findings indicate that game play facilitates collaboration, the production of target language output, vocabulary learning, and reduces the influence of factors that inhibit learning. This chapter concludes by identifying promising areas for future research.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document