When International Avatars Meet -- Intercultural Language Learning in Virtual Reality Exchange

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  • Author(s): Jauregi Ondarra, Kristi (ORCID Jauregi Ondarra, Kristi (ORCID 0000-0002-9096-9450); Gruber, Alice (ORCID Gruber, Alice (ORCID 0000-0003-1558-673X); Canto, Silvia (ORCID Canto, Silvia (ORCID 0000-0003-1558-673X)
  • Language:
    English
  • Source:
    Research-publishing.net. 2020.
  • Publication Date:
    2020
  • Document Type:
    Speeches/Meeting Papers
    Reports - Research
  • Additional Information
    • Availability:
      Research-publishing.net. La Grange des Noyes, 25110 Voillans, France. e-mail: [email protected]; Web site: http://research-publishing.net
    • Peer Reviewed:
      Y
    • Source:
      6
    • Education Level:
      Higher Education
      Postsecondary Education
    • Subject Terms:
      Second Language Learning; Intercultural Communication; Computer Simulation; International Educational Exchange; Immersion Programs; College Students; Foreign Countries; Student Attitudes; Cooperative Learning; Official Languages; English (Second Language); Technology Uses in Education; Outcomes of Education
    • Subject Terms:
      Netherlands; Germany
    • Abstract:
      Virtual exchange projects have become an effective pedagogical method to support students' development of intercultural language competence. High-immersion experiences in Virtual Reality (VR) may offer an environment which is conducive to developing such competence. This paper reports on a pilot study carried out with two groups of university students (N=30) in the Netherlands and Germany. The students, involved in a virtual exchange using VR headsets, completed three tasks collaboratively. The aim of the study was to investigate participants' perception regarding (1) their collaboration with foreign peers within the VR setting and (2) the perceived usefulness of the tool. The researchers employed questionnaires and conducted interviews and focus groups. The audio recording transcripts from the VR encounters and students' reflective journals provide further data to triangulate the results. This pilot study provides first results with regard to virtual exchanges carried out in high-immersion VR. [For the complete volume, "CALL for Widening Participation: Short Papers from EUROCALL 2020 (28th, Online, August 20-21, 2020)," see ED610330.]
    • Abstract:
      As Provided
    • Publication Date:
      2021
    • Accession Number:
      ED611134