Games and virtual environments can be used to foster language learnnig, especially spontaneous communication. It's not that you should use online virtual environments, but how do we use them to engage learners and foster language?
Virtual Environments
- Second Life: There's no specific goal or objective, it's an environment open and virtual. It's more engaging than other modes (e.g., SCMC, ACMC). Second Life's been used for virtual classrooms, quests, and for finding L2 conversants. Similar to other forms of CMC, it can lead to more involved and confident students.
- I think virtual environments are fun. I experienced with virtual environments a great deal from ages 11-15 years. By the time I turned 18, I had experienced almost every online virtual environment there was to experience. It is interactive, but after some time, it gets old. Perhaps there is time for something new. Google is thinking of virtual realities; people don't put on eye goggles, but can actually touch and feel through certain electronic devices. It seems like this sort of technology is near.
Game Environments
- Video games foster collaboration, as well.
- MMORPGs (e.g., World of Warcraft, EverQuest2) have been the focus of much language learning research.
- Mobile games: vocabulary teaching(ARIS, Mentira)
- Interpersonal games: SpaceTeam, Timeline
Some of these virtual and game environments are free, some are paid. From my experience, it is never worth paying for them. There exist good ones for free, and money only gets you, usually, more virtual "dollars" or something else to make your "status" higher than others.
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