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Virtual worlds in language learning and learner advising

Virtual worlds in language learning and learner advising. Luisa Panichi Centro Linguistico Interdipartimentale University of Pisa, Italy. Overview. Learner advising underpinnings Virtual worlds as an online learning platform for language teaching for informal language learning

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Virtual worlds in language learning and learner advising

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  1. Virtual worlds in language learning and learner advising Luisa Panichi Centro Linguistico Interdipartimentale University of Pisa, Italy Facilitating language learning through social network sites

  2. Overview • Learner advising underpinnings • Virtual worlds as an online learning platform • for language teaching • for informal language learning • for incidental language learning • for language learner advising • Q & A Facilitating language learning through social network sites

  3. Learner advising • Mozzon-McPherson & Vismans (2001) • Learner advising on a continuum from teaching to counselling • Multiple places, spaces, mediums and times • Different forms and formats • Affected by context and culture including educational culture (i.e. beliefs about teaching and learning) • Virtual worlds as a powerful medium for language advising Facilitating language learning through social network sites

  4. Virtual worlds (1) • 3D/2D online computer simulations • Multiuser platforms • Second Life (entertainment and social networking platform) • Active Worlds (educational) • Open Sim (building) • Word of Warcraft (gaming) • …and many more… Facilitating language learning through social network sites

  5. Virtual worlds (2) • Synchronous communication • Multimodal communication • Visual and iconic communication • User is represented via an avatar • There is a dynamic relationship between the user and one’s virtual world identity • Users can interact with the environment by touching and building • Highly immersive platforms Facilitating language learning through social network sites

  6. Avalon learning project • Avalon learning island in Second Life • http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/AVALON%20Learning/21/185/57 • Avalon learning teaching resources • http://www.avalonlearning.eu/ • Avalon Italian for Beginners course “Alzati e cammina” • Avalon North Sami course use of Muinjij island in Second Life • http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Muinjij%20Island/34/93/21 Facilitating language learning through social network sites

  7. Other language learning projects • Niflar Tandem • http://cms.hum.uu.nl/niflar/index.php?page=experiences • Talkademy German culture course (Protected link to facebook group) • WOW for literacy • http://wowinschool.pbworks.com/w/page/5268731/FrontPage Facilitating language learning through social network sites

  8. VWs as a language learning resource • Use of the search engine in SL: • Locations (Roma) • Language resources (italiano) • Native speaker communities (italiani in SL) • Learning communities (language learning) • Communities of teachers (language learning) Facilitating language learning through social network sites

  9. Incidental language learning • Social networks are being used for language learning (i.e. Foreman and Underwood 2011; Malerba 2011; Mills 2011; Guth & Helm 2010) • Incidental language learning is occurring in social networks (i.e. Bytheway 2011) • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f_HkXpt-bGQ Facilitating language learning through social network sites

  10. Learner advising in virtual worlds • Incorporated into classroom activities • Supportive of informal, independent and incidental learning • It can take place elsewhere • Affective dimension • Learner identity • The nature of the environment challenges preconceptions about knowledge creation and learning Facilitating language learning through social network sites

  11. Counselling in virtual worlds • Traditional counselling and therapeutic services • Self-help groups such as AA and drug rehabilitation groups • Medical and health advice • Trauma self-help groups • Religious counselling Facilitating language learning through social network sites

  12. Tools and affordances for learner advising in VWs • Text chat only • Combined voice and text chat • Notecards • Anonymity • Intimacy • Perceived sense of privacy • Visualisation of identity and culture • Sharing of the experience • Private location: http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Forum%20Europe/238/69/99 Facilitating language learning through social network sites

  13. Conclusions • VWs for language learning • VWs for informal and independent learning • VWs for incidental learning • WVs as networks and for links with other learners and native speakers • VW as a viable and powerful platform for learner advising comparable to drop-in self-access centres Facilitating language learning through social network sites

  14. References 1 • AVALON project. Last accessed on 8th May 2012 at http://www.avalonlearning.eu/ • Active Worlds. World available at http://www.activeworlds.com/ • Bytheway, J.A. (2011) Vocabulary learning strategies in massively multiplayer ondine role-playing games. Master thesis avalilable on 8th May 2012 online at researcharchive.vuw.ac.nz/bitstream/handle/10063/1727/thesis.pdf • EUROVERSITY network. Last accessed on 8th May 2012 at http://www.euroversity.eu/ • Foreman, A. & Underwood, J. (2011) Mobile and social media for language learning and teaching. Online prezi presentation available on 8th May 2012 at http://prezi.com/vavrzadbpvfu/mobile-and-social-media-for-language-learning-and-teaching-bilbao-2011/ • Guth, S. & Helm, F. (2010) Telecollaboration 2.0: Languages, Literacies and Intercultural Learning in the 21st Century. Bern: Peter Lang. • Malerba, M. L. (2011) Social Networking in Second Language Learning. In M. Ciastellardi, C. Miranda De Almeida, & C. Scolari (Eds.), McLuhan Galaxy Conference Understanding Media Today Barcelona May 23rd25th (pp. 142-153). Editorial Universitat Oberta de Catalunya. Available online on 8th May 2012 at http://www.mendeley.com/research/social-networking-second-language-learning/ Facilitating language learning through social network sites

  15. References 2 • Mills, N. (2011) Situated Learning through Social Networking Communities: The Development of Joint Enterprise, Mutual Engagement, and a Shared Repertoire. Calico Journal 28 (2) pp. 345-368. • Mozzon-McPherson, M. & Vismans, R. (Eds) (2001) Beyond Language Teaching towards Language Advising. London: CiLT. • NIFLAR project. Last accessed on 8th May 2012 at http://cms.hum.uu.nl/niflar/ • Open Sim. World available at http://opensimulator.org/wiki/Main_Page • Second Life. World available at http://secondlife.com/ • World of Warcraft. World available at http://us.battle.net/wow/en/ • World of Warcraft and Language Learning. Youtube video available on 8th May 2012 at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f_HkXpt-bGQ • Word of Warcraft in school wiki. Available online on 8th May 2012 at http://wowinschool.pbworks.com/w/page/5268731/FrontPage Facilitating language learning through social network sites

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