scholarly journals The Griefer and the Stalker: Disruptive Actors in a Second Life Educational Community

2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jean-Paul Lafayette DuQuette
Keyword(s):  
Language Learning ◽  
Learning Community ◽  
Virtual Worlds ◽  
Second Life ◽  
Virtual World ◽  
English Language ◽  
Participant Observation ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Community Members ◽  
Fear And Anxiety

Linden Lab’s Second Life (SL) is well-known for its hands-off approach to user conflict-resolution. Although users are given tools to mute and block individual accounts as well as ban undesirable avatars from user-owned land, that does not prevent determined, malicious users from disrupting communities and harassing individuals. This case study focuses on two such malicious users exemplary of two specific types of malevolent virtual world actors: in-world griefers and online stalkers. As part of a decade-long ethnographic research project within the Cypris Chat English language learning community in SL, this paper utilizes data gleaned from notes on participant observation, semi-structured interviews, and first-hand encounters. It categorizes the disparate strategies these individuals have used over the years in their attempts to disrupt group cohesion, sow distrust between students and teachers, humiliate individuals, and foment an atmosphere of fear and anxiety. It then reviews the methods community members used to defend themselves from such attacks and analyzes the efficacy of these strategies. This study builds on our understanding of harassment in virtual worlds and acts as a cautionary tale for future virtual world educators and community leaders considering the development of their own online classes and groups.

scholarly journals 3D Interactions between Virtual Worlds and Real Life in an E-Learning Community

2011 ◽  
Vol 2011 ◽  
pp. 1-11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ulrike Lucke ◽  
Raphael Zender
Keyword(s):  
Learning Community ◽  
Virtual Worlds ◽  
Real World ◽  
Second Life ◽  
Virtual World ◽  
Real Life ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
Learning Platform ◽  
E Learning ◽  
Learning Scenarios

Virtual worlds became an appealing and fascinating component of today's internet. In particular, the number of educational providers that see a potential for E-Learning in such new platforms increases. Unfortunately, most of the environments and processes implemented up to now do not exceed a virtual modelling of real-world scenarios. In particular, this paper shows that Second Life can be more than just another learning platform. A flexible and bidirectional link between the reality and the virtual world enables synchronous and seamless interaction between users and devices across both worlds. The primary advantages of this interconnection are a spatial extension of face-to-face and online learning scenarios and a closer relationship between virtual learners and the real world.

Affordances in Virtual World Learning Communities

2021 ◽  
pp. 461-491
Author(s):  
Jean-Paul Lafayette DuQuette
Keyword(s):  
Learning Communities ◽  
Virtual Worlds ◽  
Second Life ◽  
Virtual World ◽  
Participant Observation ◽  
Learning Groups ◽  
Social Affordances ◽  
Ethnographic Data ◽  
Technological Affordances ◽  
And Training

Since the 2000s, much has been made of the potential technological affordances of virtual world education and training. However, despite their potential utilization for useful simulations, virtual worlds are first and foremost open, social platforms. In this chapter, the author will explore both the technical affordances and the oft-ignored social affordances of virtual world learning groups. Drawing from the literature and over a decade of experience with learning communities in Linden Lab's Second Life, the author will use ethnographic data gleaned from participant observation in two very different learning groups to develop a basic taxonomy of technical and social affordances in avatar-based multi-user online environments. It is hoped that through the rubric provided, educators, researchers, and technology stewards will have a clearer understanding of both the possible benefits and the drawbacks of hosting learning communities in this environment.

Managing multimodal data in virtual world research for language learning

ReCALL ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 30 (2) ◽  
pp. 177-195 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cristina Palomeque ◽  
Joan-Tomàs Pujolà
Keyword(s):  
Language Learning ◽  
Virtual Worlds ◽  
Second Life ◽  
Virtual World ◽  
Multimodal Data ◽  
Multimodal Analysis ◽  
3D Virtual Worlds ◽  
Communication Modes ◽  
Micro Level ◽  
Communication Breakdowns

AbstractThe study of multimodality in communication has attracted the attention of researchers studying online multimodal environments such as virtual worlds. Specifically, 3D virtual worlds have especially attracted the interest of educators and academics due to the multiplicity of verbal channels, which are often comprised of text and voice channels, as well as their 3D graphical interface, allowing for the study of non-verbal modes. This study offers a multilayered transcription method called the Multi-Modal MUVE Method or 3M Method (Palomeque, 2016; Pujolà & Palomeque, 2010) to account for the different modes present in the 3D virtual world of Second Life. This method works at two levels: the macro and the micro level. The macro level is a bird’s-eye view representation of the whole session as it fits into one page. This enables the researcher to grasp the essence of the class and to identify interesting sequences for analysis. The micro level consists of three transcripts to account for the different communication modes as well as the interface activity that occurs in the virtual world of Second Life. This paper will review the challenges when dealing with multimodal analysis in virtual worlds and how the multimodal data were analyzed and interpreted by using a multilayered multimodal method of analysis (3M transcription). Examples will be provided in the study to show how different modes of communication were used by participants in the virtual world of Second Life to create meaning or to avoid communication breakdowns.

scholarly journals Communication Approaches of Hearing-Impaired Students in an English Language Learning Classroom: The Case of a Public Elementary School

2021 ◽  
Vol 3 (4) ◽  
pp. 89-99
Author(s):  
Prences Mae M. Langga ◽  
Kithamae N. Sabandal ◽  
Roseniya T. Datu-Ulama ◽  
Wardah D. Guimba ◽  
Adelyn N. Sialana-Nalla ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Language Learning ◽  
English Language ◽  
Participant Observation ◽  
Hearing Impaired ◽  
Target Language ◽  
English Language Learning ◽  
English Learning ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Learning And Teaching ◽  
Hearing Impaired Students

English as a second language (ESL) learning among hearing-impaired individuals is a unique area that has not been widely investigated in Southern Philippines, where Special Education (SPED) Program is still emerging. To fill in this gap, this qualitative study dealt with the communication approaches of hearing-impaired students to learn English. The participants were six students and one SPED teacher. Semi-structured interviews and non-participant observation were employed to determine the participants’ communication approaches and challenges in expressing themselves using the target language. Findings disclosed that all participants used sign language based on Manually Coded System and fingerspelling while only the teacher communicated with the aid of speech and visuals. Students’ and teacher’s challenges in English learning and teaching, respectively, were students’ problematic retention, apprehensive behavior during class evaluations, and slow comprehension. This paper has its limitation for other variables that could make the study more relevant were not focused such as the hearing-impaired students’ medical backgrounds, writing skills, and communicative resources available at home. Hence, it is imperative that further studies be done to shed better light on hearing-impaired students’ English language learning.

scholarly journals Virtually Friends: An Exploration of Friendship Claims and Expectations in Immersive Virtual Worlds

2014 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Brooke Foucault Welles ◽  
Tommy Rousse ◽  
Nick Merrill ◽  
Noshir Contractor
Keyword(s):  
Virtual Worlds ◽  
Second Life ◽  
Virtual World ◽  
The Internet ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Friendship Formation ◽  
Recent Scholarship

Recent scholarship suggests that immersive virtual worlds may be especially well suited for friendship formation on the Internet. Through 65 semi-structured interviews with residents in highly-populated portions of the virtual world Second Life, we explore the nature of friendship within the immersive virtual world, examining friendship claims and expectations and the specific features of the virtual world that enable friendships to emerge. Results reveal that friendships in Second Life are common but not necessarily dependent on features such as co-presence and shared activities that are unique to the virtual world. Instead, frequent, text-based communication facilitates the emergence and maintenance of friendship in Second Life.

Talking, looking, flying, searching: information seeking behaviour in Second Life

2008 ◽  
Vol 26 (4) ◽  
pp. 512-524 ◽  
Author(s):  
Margaret Ostrander
Keyword(s):  
Virtual Worlds ◽  
Second Life ◽  
Information Seeking ◽  
Participant Observation ◽  
Research Question ◽  
Information Seeking Behavior ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Seeking Behavior ◽  
One Year

PurposeThis research seeks to answer, “How do everyday Second Life users go about finding needed information?” as the primary research question.Design/methodology/approachA virtual ethnographic approach couched in grounded theory was utilized to conduct semi‐structured interviews with everyday users of Second Life, accompanied by participant observation.FindingsInformation seeking behaviors within the virtual world of Second Life were found to be rich, complex interaction with multiple facets. Five themes emerged to illuminate how users seek information.Research limitations/implicationsThis research took place over a six‐week period, although most enthographies last at least one year. Conclusions were drawn solely from interviews because participant observation did not penetrate a given community with enough depth to adequately address the research question.Practical implicationsVirtual worlds offer the promise of becoming an integrated part of the information seeking landscape for an increasing number of users. Understanding the factors influencing information seeking behavior that are outlined in this article will equip librarians and information professionals to best utilize virtual worlds and continue to create innovative, user‐focused services there.Originality/valueThis article extends current scholarship by offering a practical, five‐factor approach to understand how people seek information in virtual worlds. The literature is robust in description about library services and the nature of information in virtual worlds. Yet, investigation into information seeking behavior in this environment is in its nascent stages.

Tertiary English-majored Students’ Perceptions toward the Role of Pronunciation in English Language Learning and their Practicing Strategies

2020 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
pp. 264-279
Keyword(s):  
Language Learning ◽  
English Language ◽  
Vital Role ◽  
English Language Learning ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Efl Learners ◽  
The University

Accurate pronunciation has a vital role in English language learning as it can help learners to avoid misunderstanding in communication. However, EFL learners in many contexts, especially at the University of Phan Thiet, still encounter many difficulties in pronouncing English correctly. Therefore, this study endeavors to explore English-majored students’ perceptions towards the role of pronunciation in English language learning and examine their pronunciation practicing strategies (PPS). It involved 155 English-majored students at the University of Phan Thiet who answered closed-ended questionnaires and 18 English-majored students who participated in semi-structured interviews. The findings revealed that students strongly believed in the important role of pronunciation in English language learning; however, they sometimes employed PPS for their pronunciation improvement. Furthermore, the results showed that participants tended to use naturalistic practicing strategies and formal practicing strategies with sounds, but they overlooked strategies such as asking for help and cooperating with peers. Such findings could contribute further to the understanding of how students perceive the role of pronunciation and their PPS use in the research’s context and other similar ones. Received 10th June 2019; Revised 12th March 2020; Accepted 12th April 2020

Implementing ELF-informed Activities in an Elementary Level English Preparatory Classroom

2018 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sibel Sert ◽  
Yonca Özkan
Keyword(s):  
Language Learning ◽  
English Language ◽  
English Language Teaching ◽  
Elementary Level ◽  
Standard English ◽  
Educational Setting ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Qualitative And Quantitative ◽  
Mixed Method Design ◽  
Personal Interests

AbstractUpon the advocacy of the integration of English as a lingua franca, namely ELF, into English language teaching, some scholars (Hino & Oda, 2015) have focused on its possible implications for classroom settings. Implementing ELF-informed activities in an elementary level classroom within a norm-based educational setting, this study aimed to enable students to experience these activities, and explore their pre and post views regarding Standard English, the concepts of good English, and my English. In addition, it also investigated students’ preference for their educational setting after the implementation. The implementation took seven weeks and the activities were created by the researchers. Within a mixed method design, qualitative and quantitative data were collected via semi-structured interviews and two statement lists. The findings indicated that the majority of the students enjoyed the activities and their pre and post views regarding Standard English, good English and my English differ from each other. However, a substantial number of them preferred to be educated with Standard English in their language learning process. Findings also revealed that potential reasons behind this preference may be the domination of norm-based approach in their context, personal interests and prime objectives, and norm-based exams.

scholarly journals The Application of Virtual Simulations Using Second Life in a Foreign Language Classroom

2014 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 67 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tecnam Yoon
Keyword(s):  
Foreign Language ◽  
Language Learning ◽  
Learning Community ◽  
Second Life ◽  
Virtual Simulation ◽  
English Learning ◽  
Language Class ◽  
Simulation Based ◽  
Language Classroom ◽  
Virtual Simulations

<p><em>The purpose of this paper is to investigate the effects of virtual simulation-based language learning in a foreign language class in Korea. Total 35 1st-year university students in Korea participated in this research to figure out the effect of simulations. A virtual English learning community, ‘Cypris Chat’ in Second Life was selected as a learning tool. For the data collection, a survey questionnaire was distributed and analyzed quantitatively. The result shows that the majority of the students had a positive attitude toward using a virtual simulation in English learning and had better understanding in learning English by experiencing an authentic practice. The first section of this paper provides a general overview of simulations in educational settings through an insightful literature review of the current research in the area. The review includes a comprehensive outlook on simulations, an example of successful classroom integration and some of the considerations researchers have found for their implementation. The latter section addresses the research method, results and conclusions.</em></p>

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