David Neville, assistant professor of German and director of language learning technologies, presented a paper, “A digital game-based learning approach to developing situated cultural competency,” at the recent American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL) Conference, held Nov. 20-22 in San Diego.
The paper was framed as conceptual analysis from an instructional design perspective and explored the feasibility of using three-dimensional digital game-based learning (3D-DGBL) environments to assist in second language acquisition (SLA). By examining the shared characteristics of narrative within theories of situated cognition, context-based approaches to SLA, and game studies the paper suggested ways for developing meaningful, engaging, and instructional gameplay in 3D-DGBL environments for SLA.
Neville also presented a poster at the conference, “Getting game: Digital game-based learning for second language acquisition.” The poster highlighted the work that an interdisciplinary student team from German, digital art and computer sciences at Elon University did on a 3D-DGBL environment for teaching beginning university German.