language teaching and learning in virtual worlds

November 2009November 2009 SOASSOAS 11

by Graham Daviesby Graham Davies

http://http://grahamdavies.wikispaces.comgrahamdavies.wikispaces.com

Language Teaching and Learning Language Teaching and Learning in Virtual Worldsin Virtual Worlds

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Two links for further infoTwo links for further info

The ICT4LT websiteThe ICT4LT websiteModule 1.5, Section 14.2.1Module 1.5, Section 14.2.1

http://www.ict4lt.orghttp://www.ict4lt.org

EUROCALL / CALICOEUROCALL / CALICOVirtual Worlds SIGVirtual Worlds SIG

http://virtualworldssig.ning.comhttp://virtualworldssig.ning.com

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Two videosTwo videos

Silver & Goldie Intro to Second LifeSilver & Goldie Intro to Second Life

Language learning in Second LifeLanguage learning in Second Lifeby Karelia Kondorby Karelia Kondor

http://kareliakondor.blip.tvhttp://kareliakondor.blip.tv

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Three Second Life projectsThree Second Life projects

AVALONhttp://avalon-project.ning.com

NIFLARNIFLARhttp://niflar.ning.comhttp://niflar.ning.com

SLExperimentsSLExperimentshttp://slexperiments.pbworks.comhttp://slexperiments.pbworks.com

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Pros of Second LifePros of Second Life• 3D visual context, ownership of space3D visual context, ownership of space• Offers wide variety of situations and settingsOffers wide variety of situations and settings• Good social platformGood social platform• You can hear and talk to native speakersYou can hear and talk to native speakers• Virtual classroom emulates f2f situationVirtual classroom emulates f2f situation• Task-based, project-based learningTask-based, project-based learning• Good for pair work and group workGood for pair work and group work• Tandem learningTandem learning• Extra-curricular activities: clubs, pubs, chat groupsExtra-curricular activities: clubs, pubs, chat groups• It’s fun!It’s fun!

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Cons of Second LifeCons of Second Life• Requires hi-spec hardwareRequires hi-spec hardware• Difficult to use: steep learning curveDifficult to use: steep learning curve• No eye contact, no lip-synchNo eye contact, no lip-synch• Gestures and body language are not authenticGestures and body language are not authentic• Poor at presenting textPoor at presenting text• Lack of established social normsLack of established social norms• Lesson preparation takes too longLesson preparation takes too long• UnreliableUnreliable• Not taken seriously – it’s just a gameNot taken seriously – it’s just a game• Institutional resistanceInstitutional resistance

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Some examplesSome examples

• Classrooms: VirtlantisClassrooms: Virtlantis• Teaching sims: English CityTeaching sims: English City• Sims of real placesSims of real places• Treasure hunts and questsTreasure hunts and quests• Task-based learningTask-based learning• HolodecksHolodecks• Preparation and support for year abroadPreparation and support for year abroad