Category: Virtual Reality / Virtual Worlds
English Medium Instruction on Spatial as a Virtual Reality Classroom
As a result of growing Artificial Intelligence technologies, many immersive Metaverse platforms have emerged for various purposes including teaching and learning. Although many studies have explored the use of immersive Virtual Reality (VR) platforms in university courses, little research on the application of these digital tools at English Medium Instruction (EMI) Higher Education institutions in …
Empowering English Language Teachers to Use Immersive Virtual Reality for Global Citizenship Education
The threat of climate change to our planet has made addressing environmental issues a global educational priority, encompassing various subjects and school levels in numerous countries, including Germany. As a result, English teachers are required to promote English language skills and global citizenship education (GCE) in their classrooms. Several studies have illustrated that immersive virtual …
Exploring Chinese EFL Learners’ Willingness to Communicate in a Self-Developed 3D Virtual Environment
Willingness to communicate (WTC) has been recognized as a prerequisite for successful foreign or second language learning. Hence, numerous studies have been conducted to improve English as a second language (EFL) learners’ WTC. With the advancement of digital technologies, virtual reality (VR) has gained its growing recognition in technology-enhanced language learning. However, few empirical studies …
“I Can Talk to Spanish Speakers in Illinois!”: Student Perspectives on AI-Avatar Role Plays in Virtual Reality
This paper reports on a study exploring students’ perceptions of AI-avatar interactions within a virtual reality (VR) language learning environment, Immerse. As part of a large-scale project, this research explores the impact of Immerse’s AI-powered avatars on the educational experience of 54 high school participants. Based on students’ attitudes and opinions expressed in post-use surveys, …
Immerse vs ImmerseMe: Who Wins? Exploring the Pedagogical Potential of the VR-Based Language Learning Apps
Virtual reality (VR) has gained significant attention in language education due to its ability to create immersive L2 learning environments; however, their pedagogical grounding is yet to be explored (e.g., Parmaxi, 2023). Specifically, more research is needed to assess the alignment between these VR-based environments and contemporary L2 learning theories. To address this gap, we …
Developing Academic Oral Presentation Skills Through a VR-Assisted Course
The burgeoning popularity of immersive technologies seems to foretell the mainstreaming of such technologies in educational settings in the not-so-distant future; thus, it seems wise to gain a better understanding of their potential for language learning. Juxtaposing the capabilities of virtual reality (VR) with the pedagogical guidelines and practices of English for Academic Purposes (EAP), …