A Case Study of Using Online Communities and Virtual Environment in Massively Multiplayer Role Playing Games (MMORPGs) as a Learning and Teaching Tool for Second Language Learners

Isara Kongmee; Alison Pickard; Rebecca Strachan; Catherine Montgomery

doi:10.4018/jvple.2012100101

A Case Study of Using Online Communities and Virtual Environment in Massively Multiplayer Role Playing Games (MMORPGs) as a Learning and Teaching Tool for Second Language Learners

Isara Kongmee, Alison Pickard, Rebecca Strachan, Catherine Montgomery

Computer Information Sciences Department

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

15 Citations (Scopus)

21 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

Massively Multiplayer Online Role Playing Games (MMORPGs) create large virtual communities. Online gaming shows potential not just for entertaining, but also in education. This research investigates the use of commercial MMORPGs to support second language teaching. MMORPGs offer virtual safe spaces in which students can communicate by using their target second language with global players. Using a mix of ethnography and action research, this study explores the students’ experiences of language learning and performing while playing MMORPGs. The results show that the use of MMORPGs can facilitate language development by offering fun, informal, individualised and secure virtual spaces for students to practise their language with native and other second language speakers.

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	1-15
Journal	International Journal of Virtual and Personal Learning Environments
Volume	3
Issue number	4
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.4018/jvple.2012100101
Publication status	Published - Oct 2012

Keywords

MMORPG
virtual environment
second language learning
online education
e-learning
online gaming
personalized learning

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10.4018/jvple.2012100101

IJVPLE Rebecca Strachan FinalAccepted author manuscript, 402 KB

Cite this

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title = "A Case Study of Using Online Communities and Virtual Environment in Massively Multiplayer Role Playing Games (MMORPGs) as a Learning and Teaching Tool for Second Language Learners",

abstract = "Massively Multiplayer Online Role Playing Games (MMORPGs) create large virtual communities. Online gaming shows potential not just for entertaining, but also in education. This research investigates the use of commercial MMORPGs to support second language teaching. MMORPGs offer virtual safe spaces in which students can communicate by using their target second language with global players. Using a mix of ethnography and action research, this study explores the students{\textquoteright} experiences of language learning and performing while playing MMORPGs. The results show that the use of MMORPGs can facilitate language development by offering fun, informal, individualised and secure virtual spaces for students to practise their language with native and other second language speakers.",

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language = "English",

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Kongmee, I, Pickard, A, Strachan, R & Montgomery, C 2012, 'A Case Study of Using Online Communities and Virtual Environment in Massively Multiplayer Role Playing Games (MMORPGs) as a Learning and Teaching Tool for Second Language Learners', International Journal of Virtual and Personal Learning Environments, vol. 3, no. 4, pp. 1-15. https://doi.org/10.4018/jvple.2012100101

A Case Study of Using Online Communities and Virtual Environment in Massively Multiplayer Role Playing Games (MMORPGs) as a Learning and Teaching Tool for Second Language Learners. / Kongmee, Isara; Pickard, Alison; Strachan, Rebecca et al.
In: International Journal of Virtual and Personal Learning Environments, Vol. 3, No. 4, 10.2012, p. 1-15.

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

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AU - Strachan, Rebecca

AU - Montgomery, Catherine

PY - 2012/10

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AB - Massively Multiplayer Online Role Playing Games (MMORPGs) create large virtual communities. Online gaming shows potential not just for entertaining, but also in education. This research investigates the use of commercial MMORPGs to support second language teaching. MMORPGs offer virtual safe spaces in which students can communicate by using their target second language with global players. Using a mix of ethnography and action research, this study explores the students’ experiences of language learning and performing while playing MMORPGs. The results show that the use of MMORPGs can facilitate language development by offering fun, informal, individualised and secure virtual spaces for students to practise their language with native and other second language speakers.

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KW - online education

KW - e-learning

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A Case Study of Using Online Communities and Virtual Environment in Massively Multiplayer Role Playing Games (MMORPGs) as a Learning and Teaching Tool for Second Language Learners

Abstract

Keywords

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