She's not a real avatar? Learning without teachers in virtual reality
1. She’s not a real avatar?
She’s not a real avatar?
Learning without teachers in
virtual reality
Learning without teachers in virtual reality
2. QuickTime™ and a QuickTime™ and a QuickTime™ and a QuickTime™ and a QuickTime™ and a QuickTime™ and a
QuickTime™ and a
Quic kTime™ and a
decompressor dec ompres sor dec ompressor decompressor decompressor dec ompressor decompressor decompressor
are needed to see this picture. are needed to see this pic ture. are needed to s ee this picture. are needed to see this picture. are needed to see this picture. are needed to s ee this picture. are needed to see this picture. are needed to see this picture.
An Informal learning program
3. ...Language learning in isolation is
impossible. Computers, books and
television can provide practice,
explanations, a few rules or vocabulary
items, but only human beings can add
the ingredients that make language
something more than a limited stagnant
code...
Susan Schaller - A man without words
4. Why is language taught in a classroom?
Convenience
Tradition
Resources
Student expectations
QuickTime™ and a
decompressor
are needed to see this picture.
Where else can language be learned?
5. Functional
characters
The big bang
QuickTime™ and a
decompressor
are needed to see this picture.
QuickTime™ and a
decompressor
are needed to see this picture.
Quick Time™ and a
dec ompress or
are needed to s ee this picture.
6. Millie Eames - Café Manager QuickTime™ and a
decompressor
are needed to see this picture.
Age: 48
Appearance: Millie looks her age. She dresses Laura Ashley and struggles with her weight.
Demeanor: Millie is warm, caring, and motherly.
Functional/occupational attribute: Millie owns and manages the café, Conversations.
Objectives: Millie is always working to get more customers.
She really wants her café to be a special place for her customers.
She wants them to feel comfortable and to think of the conversation café as their
‘home away from home’.
Interests/hobbies/expertise: Millie has a passion for travel, but as an arm chair traveler
She has never been on a plane or more than a 3 hour drive. She reads all sorts of
travel magazines and books and is constantly planning her next big trip.
Millie loves to talk about the weather and has been ‘studying’ meteorology of late.
Never at a loss to share her recipes, Millie is a baker extraordinaire.
Personal/Family: Millie has 2 children: Tommy (her sunshine) and Sarah.
Tommy is studying meteorology at the University of Hawaii.
Sarah is pre-med at a college an hour away from home.
Narrative: Emotionally, psychologically, and financially, Millie needs her café to be successful.
7. QuickTime™ and a QuickTime™ and a
decompressor decompressor
are needed to see this picture. are needed to see this picture.
8. QuickTime™ and a QuickTime™ and a
decompressor decompressor
are needed to see this picture. are needed to see this picture.
9. Kent Fromund
formally known
as Johnathon
Shellman
QuickTime™ and a
decompressor QuickTime™ and a
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are needed to see this picture.
Griffin Morrisey
10. Judith
QuickTime™ and a
decompressor
are needed to see this picture.
11. Student’s reactions
• Plots and backstories - some negatives
and positives
• The ‘wow’ factor
• Friendliness and professionalism
12. Activities created by the actors
Actor created activities
QuickTime™ and a
decompressor
are needed to see this picture.
13. • Lack of ‘teacher like’ skills in the actors
• Mixed levels and the technological
catch 22 QuickTime™ and a
decompressor
are needed to see this picture.
• The schedule and student expectations
14. Activity criteria
• Clear statements of skills to be
practiced
• Clear contextual areas
• Adaptable and recyclable content
• Level appropriate content
17. Functional characters
Recyclable activities
QuickTime™ and a
decompressor
are needed to see this picture.
The big bang
QuickTime™ and a
decompressor
are needed to see this picture.
Backstories and plots
Actor created activities
18. Success factors
• ‘Total immersion’ without traveling
• Professional and friendly native
speakers
• The ‘wow’ factor
• Avatar helps to overcome shyness and
embarrassment
• Activities
19. The future of virtual immersion
• Better technology
• Authentic
communities of
language speakers
20. Contacts and further information
Lowri Mills - City Manager
QuickTime™ and a
decompressor
are needed to see this picture.
Lowrimills@gmail.com
Sally Langer
QuickTime™ and a
decompressor
are needed to see this picture.
SL Salsita Almendros
Sally@languagelab.com
http://www.sallylanger.com
21. SLanguages 2009
This presentation was given at
SLanguages 2009
The Conference for Language
Education in Virtual Worlds
slanguages.net