Informal Learning of English via Online Games
Informal Learning Of English Via Online Games
Noor Azwa Mohamed Ozir
General Studies Department, Ungku Omar Polytechnic
Abstract : Computer games as a leisure activity have become an ever-increasing part of many young people’s day-to-day lives (Griffiths & Davis, 2005). Krasilovsky (2006) claimed that young learners tend to ‘favor “edutainment” applications-academics-oriented games’. Wood (2001) investigated the use of learning games as a learning tool and concluded that game-like formats could be more effective at capturing learners’ attention than traditional media such as textbooks (cited in Florence W. M. Yip and Alvin C. M. Kwan, 2006). In accordance with reported statistics, online computer gaming is the preferred pastime of many people worldwide. What impact does gaming have in general on people, and more important is how can we as teachers take note of the knowledge and experience that is collected through online computer gaming? The aim of this paper is to explore the view towards online games and how they can contribute to enrich the vocabulary of English Language in an informal learning. Data was collected from an interview with seven online game players who were playing at various cyber cafes. Apart from being a source of entertainment, the players considered online games to be an educational resource with regard to English vocabulary and general communication skills. It is hoped that this study will contribute in raising the awareness of online gaming as a tool for informal learning and can give ideas to teachers of English Language in triggering the correct source via online games to enrich the students vocabulary.
Keywords : informal learning, english, vocabulary, online games, educational resources.
1. INTRODUCTION
Online games are one type of entertainment oriented and Internet-based Information Technology (IT) sources. With the rapid diffusion of broadband Internet services and high-end graphic cards for
Noor Azwa Mohamed Ozir
General Studies Department, Ungku Omar Polytechnic
Abstract : Computer games as a leisure activity have become an ever-increasing part of many young people’s day-to-day lives (Griffiths & Davis, 2005). Krasilovsky (2006) claimed that young learners tend to ‘favor “edutainment” applications-academics-oriented games’. Wood (2001) investigated the use of learning games as a learning tool and concluded that game-like formats could be more effective at capturing learners’ attention than traditional media such as textbooks (cited in Florence W. M. Yip and Alvin C. M. Kwan, 2006). In accordance with reported statistics, online computer gaming is the preferred pastime of many people worldwide. What impact does gaming have in general on people, and more important is how can we as teachers take note of the knowledge and experience that is collected through online computer gaming? The aim of this paper is to explore the view towards online games and how they can contribute to enrich the vocabulary of English Language in an informal learning. Data was collected from an interview with seven online game players who were playing at various cyber cafes. Apart from being a source of entertainment, the players considered online games to be an educational resource with regard to English vocabulary and general communication skills. It is hoped that this study will contribute in raising the awareness of online gaming as a tool for informal learning and can give ideas to teachers of English Language in triggering the correct source via online games to enrich the students vocabulary.
Keywords : informal learning, english, vocabulary, online games, educational resources.
1. INTRODUCTION
Online games are one type of entertainment oriented and Internet-based Information Technology (IT) sources. With the rapid diffusion of broadband Internet services and high-end graphic cards for
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