Summary of a Dissertation on Gaming: Project Technologia

Slota, S. T. (2014). Project TECHNOLOGIA: A game-based approach to understanding situated intentionality (Doctoral dissertation, University of Connecticut). The reason that I selected this dissertation to review is because Slota (2014) used grounded theory to develop three perspectives on game-based learning: player-player, player-instructor, and player-game interactions. This reminded me of the interaction treatments I have researched about online learning such as

Summary of Surviving Your Dissertation Guide

The following is a summary of a book I read for class in preparation for my dissertation with my personal notes. I thought some readers might benefit from it who are going through their doctoral program or considering one. (Source: Rudestam, K. E., & Newton, R. R. (2014). Surviving your dissertation: A comprehensive guide to content and process. Sage.) Chapter

My Dissertation Abstract on MMORPGs to Improve ESL Skills

A Massively Multiplayer Online Role-Playing Game with Language Learning Strategic Activities to Improve English Grammar, Listening, Reading, and Vocabulary This mixed-methods-collective-case-study focused on the use of an online videogame combined with second language acquisition (SLA) strategic gameplay to improve English language learners’ (ELLs) grammar, listening, reading, and vocabulary. Its purpose was to determine whether a noneducational, massively, multiplayer, online, role-playing

Join me at SITE 2017 Conference in Austin, TX

Two of my proposals were accepted for presentation at the Society for Information Technology and Teacher Education (SITE) International Conference in Austin, TX.  I’d love to connect with any of my readers who are also going to SITE.  This will be my third time to attend this conference.  This time around, I’ll be sharing the outcomes of my dissertation and participating

What kind of vocabulary can you learn from role-playing videogames?

In my gaming research study with EverQuestII® (EQII), I was pleasantly surprised to see a dominance of neutral words and only a slight majority of negative words over positive ones. This is based on the participants’ text-based, chat logs that I analyzed with the vocabulary concordancer called Range. Chat logs include language from the non-playing characters (NPCs), playing characters (gamers), and

Computer-assisted Language Learning and Media Selection

This blog was originally posted on the AACE Review (Rogers, 2018). Computer-assisted language learning (CALL) is the interactive use of technology to foster second language acquisition by providing meaningful opportunities to practice a language in environments beyond that which is available in the confines of a classroom. It began with the stimulus-response of programmed instruction in the 1960s with the

Goals of Research Study on MMORPGs + SLA Strategies

This summer, I started my research study for my dissertation on massively multiplayer online role-playing games (MMORPGs) combined with second language acquisition (SLA) optimizing activities.  I want to find out if free, commercial video games, MMORPGs in particular, are useful in helping English language learners (ELLs) acquire English skills.  Could MMORPGs be used to supplement language programs or personal learning

8th SLanguages Annual Symposium 2015

Time: November 14, 2015 to November 15, 2015 Location: EduNation in Second Life Organized By: Heike Philp aka Gwen Gwasi Event Description: 8th SLanguages Annual Symposium 14-15 November 2015 (Sat/Sun) Come and join us at SLanguages Annual Symposium, a two day online conference on language learning in virtual worlds held for the 8th time on EduNation in SecondLife.  The two main

Videogames for Extracurricular Second Language Acquisition Activities

Massive multiplayer online role-playing games (MMORPGs) provide English language learners (ELLs) with various gameplay situations and narratives to learn language functions in interactive, fun, and effective ways. Commercial MMORGs like World of Warcraft (WOW) provide numerous opportunities to practice information literacy activities such as interpreting, seeking, synthesizing, and disseminating information (Martin & Steinkuehler, 2010).  According to Krashen’s (1982) acquisition versus

Getting started on my dissertation: MMORPGs for Second Language Acquisition

Massively Multiplayer Online Role-playing Games with Strategic Activities to Improve Grammar, Listening, Reading, & Vocabulary  My dissertation will investigate the use of a noneducational, massively multiplayer online role-playing game (MMORPG), EverQuest II (EQ2), as a second language acquisition (SLA) tool for English.  This study will measure the effectiveness of using MMORPGs to increase the SLA of general English as a second language