Call for Papers
Special Issue on
Technology enhanced contextual game-based language learning
in
Journal of Educational Technology & Society
(5-Year impact factor 1.376 according to Thomson Scientific 2014 Journal Citations Report)
Special issue publication date: July 2018
Objectives
Game play plays an important role in human beings’ language development; regardless the age of learners. It allows learning to be effective and it is widely used in language classes in which students can explore alternative decisions and actions without the risk of failure they might encounter in the real world (Martinson & Chu, 2008). However, not all the plays contribute to language learning; only those plays which involve language input and output at the three levels of linguistic form, semantic meaning, and pragmatic use are approved (Cook, 2000). In order to satisfy the abovementioned requirement to be a game for language learning, it is widely believed that contextual learning provides second language (L2) learners with a direct link between L2 forms and the underlying concept, thus facilitating L2 learning (Lan, Fang, Legault, & Li, 2015).
Although the concept of contextual learning is not a new one since John Dewey proposed the concept of project-based learning and experiential education (Dewey, 1938), it has always remained an important issue in second language (L2) learning (Ellis, 2008). A meaningfully context-dependent social interaction in an authentic environment is one of the most important elements of second language acquisition because it provides L2 learners with essential scaffolding for acquiring an L2 (Lantolf & Thorne, 2006; Eun & Lim, 2009). Contexts can be viewed as all the perceived phenomena including the physical surroundings in which language happens (Prince, 1996). Language input from the environment, including contextual and non-linguistic cues, is easy to be comprehended by an L2 learner because it occurs in a low stress situation (Ray, 2012).
Under the belief in the benefits of contextual learning in L2, creating authentic contexts for L2 learning is strongly suggested by several commonly referred foreign language teaching/learning guidelines, such as The Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (Council of Europe, 2001) and the proficiency guidelines developed by the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages, 2012). Nowadays, through the support of advanced technology, the learning context is no longer restricted to the conventional L2 classrooms. In fact, omni-environments (either real or virtual) that a learner can reach can be authentic learning contexts. For example, (1) with computer mediated communication (CMC), learners can join virtual communities to explore foreign culture and learning an L2 (e.g., Pasfield-Neofitou, 2011; Stickler & Emke, 2011); (2) with a mobile seamless device, the real world becomes the learning context for a target language (e.g., Lan & Lin, 2015); (3) with augmented reality devices, there would be no barrier between the real and virtual world (Miyosawa, Akahane, Hara, & Shinohara, 2012; Ozcelik & Acarturk, 2011; Yuen, Yaoyuneyong, & Johnson, 2013); and (4) with a 3D environment, an L2 learner can immerse himself or herself in a brand new world (e.g. Lan, 2014; 2015; Lan, Kan, Sung, & Chang, 2016).
To this end, this special issue aims at providing a platform for researchers to present their research efforts that may offer insights into (1) the approaches to applying technology to enhance L2 game-based learning in context; (2) the evaluation of game-based language learning among different contexts with technology supports, such as in real world, in a conventional classroom, and in virtual worlds; (3) the comparison of game-based learning effects of using different technologies on conventional L2 classroom contexts; and (4) the effects of technology enhanced contextual game-based language learning on the transferring between the formal L2 learning and real life application. It remains open to question and is worth further explorations. The submitted papers will go through a double-blind review. We invite studies that provide research results and contributions that may help develop further understanding of how technology enhances game-based language learning in a context and may help inspire future research directions.
Topics of interests include, but are not limited to:
Submission guidelines and other considerations
This special issue will only publish original research papers (up to 7000 words). Papers submitted must not have been published previously or under consideration for publication, though they may represent significant extensions of prior work. All submitted papers will go through a rigorous double-blind peer-review process (with at least three reviewers).
Before submission, authors should carefully read over the journal’s Author Guidelines, which are located at http://www.ifets.info/guide.php. Prospective authors should submit an electronic copy of their complete manuscript using EasyChair system at: https://easychair.org/conferences/?conf=cgbll2018.
Publication timeline
Special issue editors
Dr. Adele Botha
Principal Researcher, Next Generation Mobile and ICT Systems
Professor Extaordinaire, UNISA School of Computing
CSIR Meraka Institute
Email: abotha@csir.co.za
URL: http://csir-za.academia.edu/AdeleBotha
Dr. Morris Siu-yung Jong
Associate Professor, Department of Curriculum and Instruction
Director, Centre for Learning Sciences and Technologies
The Chinese University of Hong Kong
Email: mjong@cuhk.edu.hk
URL: http://clst.fed.cuhk.edu.hk/
Dr. Yu-Ju Lan
Distinguished Professor, Department of Applied Chinese Language and Culture
National Taiwan Normal University, Taiwan
Email: yujulan@gmail.com
URL: http://tell.aclc.ntnu.edu.tw/index.php/en/
Dr. Junjie Shang
Professor, Graduate School of Education
Peking University, China
Email: jjshang@gse.pku.edu.cn ; jjshang@pku.edu.cn
URL: http://www.gse.pku.edu.cn/szdw/jxkyry/jyjzx/22248.htm
References
American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (2012). ACTFL proficiency guidelines 2012. USA: ACTFL, INC. September 24, 2013, retrieved from http://www.actfl.org/sites/default/files/pdfs/public/ACTFLProficiencyGuidelines2012_FINAL.pdf
Cook, G. (2000). Language play, language learning. Hong Kong: Oxford University Press.
Council of Europe. (2001). Common European Framework of Reference for Languages: Learning, teaching, assessment. Cambridge. Cambridge University Press. October 16, 2012, Retrieved from http://www.coe.int/t/dg4/linguistic/source/framework_en.pdf
Dewey, John (1938). Experience & education. New York, NY: Kappa Delta Pi.
Ellis, R. (2008). The study of second language acquisition (2nd. ed.). New York, USA: Oxford University press.
Eun, B., & Lim, H. (2009). A sociocultural view of language learning: The importance of meaning-based instruction. TESL Canada Journal, 27(1), 13-26.
Lan, Y. J. (2014). Does Second Life improve Mandarin learning by overseas Chinese students? Language Learning & Technology, 18(2), 36–56.
Lan, Y. J. (2015). Contextual EFL learning in a 3D virtual environment. Language Learning & Technology, 19(2), 16-31.
Lan, Y. J., Fang, S. Y., Legault, J., & Li, P. (2015). Second language acquisition of Mandarin Chinese vocabulary: context of learning effects. Educational Technology Research & Development, 63(5), 671-690. DOI 10.1007/s11423-015-9380-y
Lan, Y. J.*, Kan, Y. H., Sung, Y. T., & Chang, K. E. (2016). Oral-performance language tasks for CSL beginners in Second Life. Language Learning & Technology, 20(3), 60-79.
Lantolf, J. P., & Thorne, S. L. (2006). Sociocultural theory and the genesis of L2 development. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Martinson, B., & Chu, S. (2008). Impact of learning style on achievement when using course cotent delivered via a game-based learning object. In R. E. Ferdig (Ed.), Handbook of Research on Effective Electronic Gaming in Education (pp. 478–488). Pennsylvania, USA: IGI Global.
Miyosawa, T., Akahane, M., Hara, K., & Shinohara, K. (2012). Applying augmented reality to e-learning for foreign language study and its evaluation. Proceedings of the 2012 International Conference on Elearning, E-business, Enterprise Information System, & E-Government, 310-316.
Ozcelik, E., & Acarturk, C. (2011). Reducing the spatial distance between printed and online information sources by means of mobile technology enhances learning: Using 2D barcodes. Computers & Education, 57(3), 2077-2085.
Pasfield-Neofitou, S. (2011). Online domains of language use: Second language learners’ experiences of virtual community and foreignness. Language Learning & Technology, 15(2), 92-108.
Prince, P. (1996). Second language vocabulary learning: The role of context versus translations as a function of proficiency. The Modern Language Journal, 80(4), 478-493.
Ray, S. (2012). Using language in the community for enhancing communication skills. Language and Language Teaching, 1(1), 12-17.
Stickler, U., & Emke, M. (2011). LITERALIA: Towards developing intercultural maturity online. Language Learning & Technology, 15(1), 147–168.
Yuen, S. C.-Y., Yaoyuneyong, G., & Johnson, E. D. (2013). Augmented reality and education: Applications and potentials. In R. Huang. (Ed.), Reshaping learning – The frontiers of learning technologies in global context (pp. 385-414). Berlin Heidelberg: Springer.