Interacting through avatars: Virtual worlds as a context for online education

A Comparison of the Effects of Classroom and Multi-User Virtual Environments on the Perceived Speaking Anxiety of Adult Post-Secondary English Language Learners

“…The data gathered through virtual voice recordings and interviews found that the MUVE of Second Life enhanced interactivity because it allowed for synchronous communication and for the student to be placed in a spatial dimension. The authors also conclude that in their study, using a virtual world was not adequate by itself, the lack of participants' technical skills diverted the experience from the language learning process to a technical informative interaction (Petrakou, 2010). Life provided a real-life context that they found to be helpful in learning English.…”

“…In Sweden, Petrakou (2010) conducted an ethnographic study on seven students enrolled in an oral production course in higher education, the study aimed to explore how Second Life facilitates online education. Petrakou paired the participants with American students attending the University of Missouri in a "buddy" system in which they worked on language-related assignments such as interviews, pair discussions, and presentations.…”

“…Second Life has also been shown to be highly effective for distance education in a post-secondary environment (Barkand & Kush, 2009). For example, Petrakou (2010) conducted an ethnographic study to explore how Second Life facilitates online education. The oral production data gathered from the participants found that synchronous communication through Second Life enhanced interactivity (Petrakou, 2010).…”

Acquiring the English Language through Web-Based Role-Playing Simulations: Informal Learning in Interactive Environments

“…The study found that the virtual world provided enhanced interactivity because it allows for synchronous communication and places the student in a spatial dimension. According to Petrakou (2010), the advantages of using SL for EFL students include gaining access to various online communities, interacting with different people from different countries and experiencing other cultures. SL might serve as a good place for students to converse with native speakers or other language students, especially those who are having difficulties in communicating with others in English.…”

“…Some research studies have examined the effectiveness of teaching foreign languages in SL. To illustrate, Petrakou (2010) designed an English language course in higher education to allow students to practice their English with native speakers in the SL environment. The study found that the virtual world provided enhanced interactivity because it allows for synchronous communication and places the student in a spatial dimension.…”