Analysis of Student Views on Foreign Language Learning in Second Life Environment

Year 2016, , 364 - 395, 30.10.2016

Ulaş İliç , Yüksel Deniz Arıkan

https://doi.org/10.17569/tojqi.84832

Abstract

The aim of the present study is to
assess the views of participants about the learning environment and the
problems experienced in that environment by designing a three dimensional
learning environment in Second Life (SL) virtual world. The study, designed as
a case study, was conducted with 24 volunteer students registered to foreign
language courses for 10 weeks in Ege University, Faculty of Education during
2011 – 2012 academic year, where the volunteers participated in five different
main activities. Personal Information Form was used to determine demographic
features, computer literacy and English proficiency of the students in the
study. Furthermore, Feedback Form and SL Learning Experience Survey were used
to collect the data regarding the views of participants about the activities
and medium. In addition, semi-structured interviews were conducted to obtain
general views of participants on the application. Study findings demonstrated
that the participants found SL environment interesting and entertaining and the
activities beneficial for themselves to overcome their timidity in verbalizing
in foreign language. It was also conceived that participants experienced
difficulties in speech with the application due to various reasons and
encountered different technical problems. However, the participants stated that
SL could be used in several different fields in addition to foreign language
education, provided that frequent issues encountered such as in-campus access
and sound problems could be avoided. At the end of the study recommendations for
the future applications and research based on study findings were presented.

Keywords

Virtual world, Second Life, foreign language instruction, problems encountered in virtual worlds

Second Life Ortamında Yabancı Dil Öğrenimine Yönelik Öğrenci Görüşlerinin İncelenmesi

Abstract

Bu araştırmanın amacı; yabancı dil
öğretimi için Second Life (SL) sanal dünyasında üç boyutlu bir öğrenme ortamı
tasarlayarak, katılımcıların öğrenme ortamına yönelik görüşlerini
değerlendirmek ve bu ortamda yaşanan sorunları incelemektir. Durum çalışması olarak
desenlenen araştırma 2011-2012 öğretim yılında Ege Üniversitesi Eğitim
Fakültesi'nde Yabancı Dil derslerine kayıtlı 24 gönüllü öğrenci ile 10 hafta
boyunca yürütülmüş, katılımcıların 5 farklı ana etkinliğe katılmaları
sağlanmıştır. Araştırmada öğrencilerin demografik bilgilerini, bilgisayar
kullanım durumlarını ve İngilizce yeterliklerini belirlemek için Kişisel Bilgi
Anketi kullanılmıştır. Ayrıca, etkinliklere ilişkin katılımcıların görüşlerini
almak amacıyla Geribildirim Anketi ile Second Life (SL) Öğrenme Deneyimi Anketi
kullanılarak veri toplanılmıştır. Bunlara ek olarak katılımcıların uygulama ile
ilgili genel görüşlerini almak için yarı yapılandırılmış görüşmeler
yapılmıştır. Araştırmanın sonucunda, katılımcıların SL ortamını ilgi çekici ve
eğlenceli buldukları, etkinliklerin kendileri için yararlı olduğu
belirlenmiştir. Buna ek olarak SL ortamındaki etkinliklerin, öğrencilerin
yabancı dil konuşma sürecindeki çekingenliklerini yenmelerinde etkili olduğu
görülmüştür. Ayrıca katılımcıların ortamı kullanırken çeşitli nedenlerle
konuşmada zorluklar yaşadıkları ve farklı teknik sorunlar ile karşılaştıkları
anlaşılmıştır. Bununla birlikte katılımcılar, kampüs içi erişim, ses sorunları
gibi sık yaşanan sorunların aşılması koşuluyla SL'nin yabancı dil öğretiminin
yanı sıra birçok farklı alanda kullanılabileceğini belirtmişlerdir.
Araştırmanın sonunda ulaşılan bulgular doğrultusunda uygulamaya ve araştırmaya
yönelik öneriler sunulmuştur.

Keywords

Sanal dünya, Second Life, yabancı dil öğretimi, sanal dünyalarda yaşanan sorunlar

References

• Baran, B., Çukurbaşı, B., Colak, C., & Dogusoy, B. (2012). Second Life users’ profiles and views about educational potential of Second Life: A case of Turkey. TOJET, 11(4).
• Bekleyen, N. (2007). An investigation of English teacher candidates' problems related to listening skill. Elektronik Sosyal Bilimler Dergisi, 6 (21), 91-105.
• Bezir, Ç., Çukurbaşı, B., & Baran, B. (2011). Second Life ortamında rol oynama tekniği ile yabancı dil etkinlikleri tasarım süreci ve uygulanması. Paper presented at 5th International Computer & Instructional Technologies Symposium, Elazığ, Turkey.
• Bezir, Ç., Çukurbaşı, B., & Karamete, A. (2011). Üç boyutlu sanal ortamlarda oryantasyon. Paper presented at 5th International Computer & Instructional Technologies Symposium, Elazığ, Turkey.
• Blasing, M.T. (2010). Second language in Second Life: Exploring interaction, identity and pedagogical practice in a virtual world. The Slavic and East European Journal, 96-117.
• Butler-Pascoe, M.E. (2012). The history of CALL: The Intertwining paths of technology. In R. Magdalena-Benedito (Ed.), Medical applications of intelligent data analysis: Research advancements (pp. 16-34). Hershey, PA: IGI-Global.
• Chen, C.M., & Lee, T.H. (2011). Emotion recognition and communication for reducing second‐language speaking anxiety in a web‐based one‐to‐one synchronous learning environment. British Journal of Educational Technology, 42(3), 417-440.
• Chung, D., Shearman, S.M., & Lee, S.H. (2003). Why young people purchase avatar-related products in cyberspace? An analysis of the variables influencing the purchase of avatar-related products. Paper presented at the 53rd Annual Meeting of the International Communication Association, San Diego, CA.
• Childress, M.D., & Braswell, R. (2006). Using massively multiplayer online role‐playing games for online learning. Distance Education, 27(2), 187-196.
• Cook, V.J. (2001). Second language learning and language teaching. London: Edward Arnold.
• de Jong Derrington, M., & Homewood, B. (2008). “Get Real-this isn’t real, it’s Second Life teaching ESL in a virtual world”. Paper presented at Learning in Virtual Environments International Conference, Milton Keynes, UK.
• Deutschmann, M., Panichi, L., & Molka-Danielsen, J. (2009). Designing oral participation in Second Life–A comparative study of two language proficiency courses. ReCALL, 21(2), 206-226.
• Dickey, M.D. (2005). Three‐dimensional virtual worlds and distance learning: Two case studies of active worlds as a medium for distance education. British Journal of Educational Technology, 36(3), 439-451.
• Dieterle, E., & Clarke, J. (2007). Multi-user virtual environments for teaching and learning. Encyclopedia of Multimedia Technology and Networking, 2, 1033-44.
• Dudeney, G., & Ramsay, H. (2009). Overcoming the entry barriers to Second Life in higher education. Higher Education in Virtual Worlds: Teaching and Learning in Second Life. In C. Wankel, & J. Kingsley (Eds.), Higher Education in Virtual Worlds: Teaching and Learning in Second Life. Emerald Group Publishing.
• Esgin, E., Pamukçu, B.S., Ergül, P., & Ansay, S. (2012). 3-boyutlu çevrimiçi sosyal ortamların eğitimde kullanılmasının öğrenci başarısı ve motivasyonuna etkisi: Second Life uygulaması özet. e-Journal of New World Sciences Academy, 7(1), 1C0514.
• Fang, D.U. (2012). How to develop students' communicative competence in spoken English teaching. Journal of Hunan Industry Polytechnic, 4, 040.
• Felix, U. (1998). Towards meaningful interaction in multimedia programs for language teaching. On-Call, 12(1), 20-29.
• Foreman, J., & Borkman, T. (2007). Learning sociology in a massively multi student online learning environment. In J. Bishop (Ed.). Gamification for Human Factors Integration: Social, Education, and Psychological Issues: Social, Education, and Psychological Issues. IGI Global.
• Glesne, C. (2012). Nitel araştırmaya giriş (Ersoy, A. & Yalçınoğlu, P., Trans.). Ankara: Anı Yayıncılık. (Original work published 1992).
• Hislope, K. (2009). Language learning in a virtual world. The International Journal Of Learning, 15(11).
• Inman, C., Wright, V.H., & Hartman, J.A. (2010). Use of Second Life in K-12 and higher education: A review of research. Second Life as a Language Learning Tool (EFL), 67.
• Iqbal, A., Kankaanranta, M., & Neittaanmäki, P. (2010). Engaging learners through virtual worlds. Procedia-Social and Behavioral Sciences, 2(2), 3198-3205.
• Jacobsen, C. (2015). The impact of listening strategy instruction on the learning of English and an additional foreign language. Malaysian Journal of ELT Research, 11(1), 17.
• Jauregi, K., Canto, S., de Graaff, R., Koenraad, T., & Moonen, M. (2011). Verbal interaction in Second Life: Towards a pedagogic framework for task design. Computer Assisted Language Learning, 24(1), 77-101.
• Jee, M. J. (2011). ESL students’ interaction in Second Life: Task -based synchronous computer-mediated communication, (Unpublished Dissertation), The University of Texas at Austin Faculty of Graduate School, Austin.
• Kaplan-Rakowski, R. (2011). Foreign Language Instruction in a Virtual Environment: An examination of potential activities. In G. Vincenti, & J. Braman (Eds.), Teaching through Multi-User Virtual Environments: Applying Dynamic Elements to the Modern Classroom (pp. 306-325). Hershey, PA: Information Science Reference. doi:10.4018/978-1-61692-822-3.ch017
• Kirk, J., & Miller, M.L. (1986). Reliability and validity in qualitative research. Sage.
• Kirkgöz, Y. (2007). English language teaching in Turkey: Policy changes and their implementations. RELC Journal, 38(2), 216-228.
• Koenraad, T. (2008). “How can 3D virtual worlds contribute to language education?”. Paper presented at the 3rd International WorldCALL Conference: Using Technologies for Language Learning. Fukuoka, Japan.
• Liao, F. Y. (2012). ESL students’ writing experiences and perceived poetry writing ability (Unpublished Master’s Thesis). Indiana University of Pennsylvania, Pennsylvania.
• Lim, C.P., Nonis, D., & Hedberg, J. (2006). Gaming in a 3D multiuser virtual environment: Engaging students in science lessons. British Journal of Educational Technology, 37(2), 211-231.
• Liou, H.C. (2012). The roles of Second Life in a college computer-assisted language learning (CALL) course in Taiwan, ROC. Computer Assisted Language Learning, 25(4), 365-382.
• Mansour, S., Bennett, L., & Rude-Parkins, C. (2008). “How the use of Second Life affects e-learners’ perceptions of social interaction in online courses.” Paper presented at The 6th International Conference on Education and Information Systems, Technologies and Applications (EISTA), Orlando, Florida.
• Medgyes, P. (2001). When the teacher is a non-native speaker. In M. Celce-Murcia (Ed.), Teaching English as a second or foreign language (pp.429-442). Boston, MA: Heinle & Heinle.
• Merriam, S.B. (2013). Nitel araştırma: Desen ve uygulama için bir rehber. (Turan, S., Trans.). Ankara: Nobel Yayıncılık. (Original work published 2009).
• Milton, J., Jonsen, S., Hirst, S., & Lindenburn, S. (2012). Foreign language vocabulary development through activities in an online 3D environment. The Language Learning Journal, 40(1), 99-112.
• Miles, M.B., & Huberman, A.M. (1994). Qualitative data analysis: An expanded sourcebook. Sage.
• Nepomuceno Reyes, A. (2014). Effective strategies and techniques for teaching English at a nursery school (Unpublished Master’s Thesis). Universidad Veracruzana, Veracruz.
• Ortega, M.C.G., Romans-Roca, S., Shani, R., Gross, S., Barilan, M.Y., Tam, C.L., & Sanders, J. (2010). Exploring the potential of Second Life to prepare language students for their year abroad. International Journal of Technology, Knowledge & Society, 6(6), 57-66.
• Patton, M.Q. (2005). Qualitative research. John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
• Payne, J.S., & Ross, B. (2005). Synchronous CMC, working memory, and L2 oral proficiency development. Language Learning & Technology, 9(3), 35-54.
• Peterson, M. (2012). EFL learner collaborative interaction in Second Life. ReCALL, 24(01), 20-39.
• Pufahl, I., Rhodes, N., & Christian, D. (2001). What we can learn from foreign language teaching in other countries. ERIC Digest. Retrieved March 13, 2015 from http://www.cal.org/resources/digest/digest_pdfs/0106-pufahl.pdf.
• Roussou, M. (2004). Learning by doing and learning through play: An exploration of interactivity in virtual environments for children. Computers in Entertainment (CIE), 2(1), 10-10.
• Rymaszewski, M. (2007). Second life: The official guide (Vol. 2). John Wiley & Sons.
• Sanchez, J. (2009). Barriers to student learning in Second Life. Library Technology Reports, 45(2), 29-34.
• Seferoglu, G. (2005). Improving students’ pronunciation through accent reduction software. British Journal of Educational Technology, 36(2), 303–316.
• Sobkowiak, W. (2012). Five years in Second Life, or: Phonetically augmented virtuality in Second Life English as a foreign language. Retrieved March 13, 2015 from https://repozytorium.amu.edu.pl/bitstream/10593/3474/1/PAVing%20EFL%20in%20SL.pdf.
• Soozandehfar, S. M. A. (2010). Is oral performance affected by motivation? Journal of Pan-Pacific Association of Applied Linguistics, 14(2), 105-119.
• Stroud, C., & Wee, L. (2006). Anxiety and identity in the language classroom. RELC Journal, 37(3), 299-307.
• Sweeney, P., Palomeque, C., González, D., Speck, C., Canfield, D.W., Guerrero, S., & MacKichan, P. (2011). Task Design for Language Learning in an Embodied Environment. In G. Vincenti, & J. Braman (Eds.), Teaching through multi-user virtual environments: Applying dynamic elements to the modern classroom (pp. 259-282). Hershey, PA: Information Science Reference.
• Tok, H. (2009). EFL learners' communication obstacles. Electronic Journal of Social Sciences, 8(29), 84-100.
• Torut, B. (2000). Computer-assisted language learning: An overview. Silpakorn University International Journal, 1(1), 131-153.
• Vogel, D., Guo, M., Zhou, P., Tian, S., Zhang, J., & Suzhou, P.R. (2008). In search of Second Life nirvana. Issues in Informing Science and Information Technology, 5, 11-28.
• Verikaitė, D. (2008). Modern approaches in English language teaching. Man & the Word/Zmogus ir zodis, 10(3).
• Wehner, K.A., Gump, W.A., & Downey, S. (2011). The effects of Second Life on the motivation of undergraduate students learning a foreign language. Computer Assisted Language Learning, 24(3), 277-289.
• Woodrow, L. (2006). Anxiety and speaking English as a second language. RELC journal, 37(3), 308–328.
• Yee, N., & Bailenson, J. (2007). The Proteus effect: The effect of transformed self‐representation on behavior. Human Communication Research, 33(3), 271-290.
• Yıldırım, A., & Şimşek, H. (2011). Sosyal bilimlerde nitel araştırma yöntemleri. Ankara: Seçkin Yayıncılık.
• Zhang, Y., & Mi, Y. (2010). Another look at the language difficulties of international students. Journal of Studies in international Education, 14(4), 371-388.