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SiLang Serious Games for Situated Learning of Vehicular Languages Addressing Work Needs. Life Long Learning KA2 Project: 530951-LLP-1-2012-1-GR-KA2-KA2MP. H. Tsalapatas , O. Heidmann , R. Alimisi , E. Houstis. The idea 1/2.
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SiLangSerious Games for Situated Learning of Vehicular Languages Addressing Work Needs Life Long Learning KA2 Project: 530951-LLP-1-2012-1-GR-KA2-KA2MP H. Tsalapatas, O. Heidmann, R. Alimisi, E. Houstis
The idea 1/2 • Individuals are often called to communicate in a foreign language in cultural settings that diverge significantly from their own and from one country to another. • To meet work objectives, professionals rely on vehicular languages, such as English, German, or French.
The idea 2/2 Professional training programs strive to bring language competency to working levels, but many fail to address the diverging use of a “lingua franca” with its own variations, specific localized expressions and communication norms.
siLang objectives The project will improve efficiency in business communication, competitiveness and employability in the partner countries, by implementing: • A situated mobile-enabled serious game for language learning on business communication • Adaptable learning activities immersing learners into rich, cultural work-related experiences • Good practices on deployment, targeting trainers.
The consortium University of Thessaly (Coordinator) Center for Research& Technology Hellas European Welding Federation UniversitadegliStudiGulielmo Marconi Tallinn University HiST Contract Research
siLang methodologies • Problem- based learning • Situated Learning • Game-based learning • Serious game approach
Problem- based learning Problem-based learning focuses on: • The use of self-directed learning skills • The formulation and prioritization of key learning objectives in the context of a given scenario • The collection of additional information which is considered useful for addressing those objectives
Situated learning scenarios Modelof situatedcognition «meaningfullearningexperiences can occurwhenstudents are enculturatedintoauthenticpracticesthroughactivity and social interaction» Brown, Collins and Duguid (1989) Brown, J. S., Collins, A. and Duguid, P. (1989). Situatedcognition and the culture of learning. EducationalResearcher, Vol. 18, No. 1, pp. 32-42
Game- based learning Model of Game-basedLearningintegrated in thesiLangdidacticalframework(pictureretrievedfromGarris et al, 2002) • Garris, R., Ahlers, R., & Driskell, J. E. (2002). Games, motivation, and learning: a research and practice model. Simulation & Gaming, 33(4), 441-467
The siLang process Order of completion, from bottom to top Implement those scenarios in the siLang software Prepare the material needed in the scenarios (video, audio, text, etc…) Create scenarios to address those issues, both from the point of view of the speaker and the one spoken to Identify the issues native Italians/Greeks/ Portuguese/Estonians/Norwegians have with English
What is a ‘siLang scenario’? • A real-life situation in which the user either has to practice English language in specific cultural contexts. • A way to address an issue related to language learning which has been detected by a partner.
Possible scenarios You are at the Greek airport. A male employee in the information desk gives you directions about reaching the city center and the meeting place. Listen to him carefully and sketch the route in the graphical map using the appropriate tools. Issues tackled: Interpretation, listening, comprehension
Possible scenarios You have just received a sms sent from your colleague’s smartphone: Your colleague is asking for directions. She feels confused but close enough to the meeting place. Check the location of your colleague and based on your experience, type down a message and send it to her providing directions and help Issues tackled: Writing, practicing prepositions and modal verbs
The siLang software : a collection of scenarios siLang … Scenario (understanding local English) Scenario (understanding local English) Scenario (understanding local english) Scenario (understanding local English) Scenario (expressing oneself in English) Scenario (expressing oneself in English) Scenario (expressing oneself in English) Scenario (expressing oneself in English) …
The siLang software : adaptive to the user siLang The user answers some questions (nationality) and select its area of interest PHASE 1 … Scenario (understanding local english) Scenario (understanding local english) Scenario (understanding local english) Scenario (understanding local english) PHASE 2 Selection of the relevant scenario by the software Scenario (expressing oneself in english) Scenario (expressing oneself in english) Scenario (expressing oneself in english) Scenario (expressing oneself in english) … PHASE 3 The user plays the siLang serious game
The siLang serious game Transfer effects tackled: • syntax • basic vocabulary and expression repertory • basic communication in business • practicing verbal communication Main characteristics: Situatedadaptable Portable Micro-worlds Touch-screen interfaces Traditional Internet access Mobile access
siLang innovation siLang’s innovative approach in terms of serious gaming will be based on: • Integrating diverging language uses between natives and non-natives; • Adaptability of learning situations • Instructor support • Use of “micro-worlds” for immersive, learning-by-doing activities.
Evaluation plan Evaluation through: • Teaching experiments • Engagement of teacher and learner user group • Professionals, higher education students, vocational workers
External Evaluation Plan • Portugal (2 groups) • 50 vocational workers and professional engineers • EWF will test the product in another 3 partner countries from its network with the participation of 20 vocational workers at each of these sites. • Italy (2 groups) • 10 higher education students at USGM • 10 professionals and vocational workers enrolled into lifelong learning activities at USGM
Greece (1 site) • higher education students at the University of Thessaly; the group will consist of approximately 30 students • Norway (3 sites) • 10 higher education students at SorTrondelag University College • 10 external vocational workers • 10 high school students in the area of Trondheim • Estonia(1 site) • 15 higher education students and engineers at TLU
Find siLang online at: http://si-lang.net University of Thessaly (Coordinator) Center for Research& Technology Hellas European Welding Federation UniversitadegliStudiGulielmo Marconi Tallinn University HiST Contract Research This project has been funded with support from the European Commission. This communication reflects the views only of the author, and the Commission cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained therein.