IRMA-International.org: Creator of Knowledge
Information Resources Management Association
Advancing the Concepts & Practices of Information Resources Management in Modern Organizations

Avatar Teaching and Learning: Examining Language Teaching and Learning Practices in Virtual Reality Environments

Avatar Teaching and Learning: Examining Language Teaching and Learning Practices in Virtual Reality Environments
View Sample PDF
Author(s): Geoff Lawrence (York University, Canada)and Farhana Ahmed (York University, Canada)
Copyright: 2020
Pages: 21
Source title: Recent Developments in Technology-Enhanced and Computer-Assisted Language Learning
Source Author(s)/Editor(s): Bin Zou (Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University, China)and Michael Thomas (Liverpool John Moores University, UK)
DOI: 10.4018/978-1-7998-1282-1.ch015

Purchase


Abstract

This chapter examines the pedagogical potential of immersive social virtual worlds (SVWs) in language teaching and learning. Recognizing the language learning affordances of immersive virtual environments, this research examines a study analyzing the beliefs and practices of ‘Karelia Kondor', an avatar-learner and teacher of languages with a decade of diverse experiences in Second Life (SL), one of the first widely used SVWs. Findings highlight the relevance of a hyper-immersive and emotionally engaging conceptual model informing language teaching approaches within these rapidly evolving environments. When supported pedagogically, the activities illustrated demonstrate the potential of these immersive approaches to create communities of practice and affinity spaces by fostering investment and autonomy in the language learning process through shared target language experiences. The chapter concludes with a summary of pedagogical insights to inform the use of these hyper-immersive environments in language teaching and learning.

Related Content

Aravind B. R., Bhuvaneswari G., S. Suman Rajest. © 2023. 11 pages.
P. S. Venkateswaran. © 2023. 11 pages.
Ahmet Erdost Yastibaş. © 2023. 18 pages.
Jayakumar Padmanabhan, S. Suman Rajest, J. Josephin Veronica. © 2023. 13 pages.
Tribhuwan Kumar. © 2023. 14 pages.
Ahmet Erdost Yastibaş. © 2023. 17 pages.
Ana Nobre. © 2023. 17 pages.
Body Bottom