2009 - Learning in the Virtual World: The Pedagogical Potentials of Massively Multiplayer Online Role Playing Games

Abstract

A much more attractive way to use the internet was discovered. Users are represented by avatars in the fantasy persistent 3D world, and the avatars apparently come to occupy a special place in the hearts of their creators (Castronova, 2001). At present, millions of people worldwide have accounts to some kind of virtual environments. Virtual world may soon become the primary venue for all online activities (Castronova, 2001) including learning. Imagine that one can gain knowledge and skills by social interactions in virtual worlds. A massively multi-student online learning environment (MMOLE) is a pedagogically designed space where students would spend much time learning online by doing and interacting with others. Furthermore, massively multiplayer online games (MMOGs) or massively multiplayer online role playing games (MMORPGs) allow individuals, through their avatars, to learn in the service of games goals and through problem solving and collaboration. This article aims at exploring the pedagogical potentials of virtual worlds. The strengths and weaknesses will be outlined and some of the issues will be discussed through case studies. Hopefully, lessons can be learned and the future virtual worlds can become a more powerful and effective environment to engage students in learning.

URL http://eric.ed.gov/?id=EJ1065585
Title Learning in the Virtual World: The Pedagogical Potentials of Massively Multiplayer Online Role Playing Games
Author Yu, Tao Wang
Publication title International Education Studies

Year 2009
Publisher Canadian Center of Science and Education. 1120 Finch Avenue West Suite 701-309; Toronto, ON M3J 3H7, Canada. Tel: 416-642-2606 Ext 206; Fax: 416-642-2608; e-mail: ies@ccsenet.org; Web site: http://www.ccsenet.org.ezproxy.library.ewu.edu/journal/index.php/es
Publisher e-mail ies@ccsenet.org
ISSN 1913-9020
Source type Scholarly Journals
Peer reviewed Yes
Language of publication English
Document type 142 Reports - Evaluative, 080 Journal Articles
Subfile ERIC, Current Index to Journals in Education (CIJE)
Accession number EJ1065585
ProQuest document ID 1720063297
Document URL https://ezproxy.library.ewu.edu/login?url=http://search.proquest.com.ezproxy.library.ewu.edu/docview/1720063297?accountid=7305
Last updated 2015-10-09
Database ProQuest Social Sciences Premium Collection