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Massively multiplayer online role-playing games like World of Warcraft are ideally suited to encourage and facilitate second language development (SLD) in the extramural setting, but to what extent do the language learners’ actual trajectories of gameplay contribute to SLD? With the current propensity to focus research in digital game-based language learning on vernacular games, or commercially-available games that are designed with entertainment in mind, it is vital to focus on the extramural setting in which these games are designed to be played, while still being subject to rigorous and empirical analysis. This paper examines the extramural gameplay and language learning trajectories of four university German language learners as they play World of Warcraft with native German speakers. Positioning learners’ experiences within a complex adaptive systems framework (Larsen-Freeman & Cameron, 2008; de Bot & Larsen-Freeman, 2011), the change that each learner undergoes while playing the game over the course of four months is explored in detail. Understanding the game environment as an affinity space (Gee, 2005) helps to substantiate how a game, independent of instructor guidance or classroom intervention, can still promote SLD amongst language learners of varying experiences and proficiencies. The results of this study suggest that numerous factors influence the success of a language learner’s extramural gameplay experience, but that these factors must be analyzed in conjunction with the emergent internal and external resources of the complex adaptive system as language learners play and interact with other players in a context removed from the traditional classroom.

This paper analyzes the development and implementation of a game-based learning course design framework. Drawing inspiration from task-based learning, the framework is structured around four core gamified elements: narrative assignment design; learner discovery; team-based collaboration and competition; and choice through quests. The intended goal of implementing this framework is to improve learner engagement and foster greater learner investment in the course. The framework, developed at the University of Waterloo, was integrated into the course design for—and subsequently taught in—a third-year history course. A mixed-methods analysis was conducted in which students (n = 15) were surveyed, interviewed, and observed throughout the course at different intervals. The results of the study suggest that the team-based nature of the framework and the embedded gameplay elements are most effective at improving engagement for learners, while some form of extrinsic motivation is still beneficial to ensure all learners find completing additional tasks worthwhile.

We provide evidence to substantiate the learning potential of eportfolios by focusing on instructor variables that influence eportfolio learning experiences. We conducted a mixed-methods study of over 800 students across 30 courses. Using survey, interview, and focus group data, we argue that instructors’ approaches to eportfolio activities play a critical but underappreciated role in whether the eportfolio will be a valued student learning experience. By adapting categorizations of deep, surface, and strategic learning, we argue that an instructor’s approach to eportfolios can be classified in a similar manner. We analyze how the instructor adheres to eportfolio best practices, and how the instructor manages student expectations and relays the importance of the eportfolio. As a result, we propose that instructors too can adopt a deep, surface, or strategic approach to eportfolios. Our data show that students generally benefit most when instructors adopt a deep, intentional approach to eportfolios, such as having a long-term investment in the course (e.g., teaching it more than one time), taking a hands-on approach with the administration of the eportfolio, and collaboratively designing the eportfolio activity. Nous présentons des preuves afin de justifier le potentiel d’apprentissage des ePortfolios en nous concentrant sur les variables des instructeurs qui influencent les expériences d’apprentissage présentées par les ePortfolios. Nous avons mené une étude à méthodologie mixte auprès de plus de 800 étudiants dans 30 cours différents. Nous avons recueilli des données suite à des sondages, des entrevues et des groupes de discussion et nous en avons déduit que les activités préparées pour les ePortfolios par les instructeurs jouent un rôle primordial mais toutefois non apprécié à sa juste valeur pour déterminer si le ePortfolio va être une expérience d’apprentissage enrichissante. En adaptant des catégorisations d’apprentissage profond, de surface et stratégique, nous pensons que l’approche d’un instructeur vis-à-vis du ePortfolio peut être classifiée de la même manière. Nous analysons la manière dont l’instructeur adhère aux meilleures pratiques du ePortfolio ainsi que la manière dont l’instructeur gère les attentes des étudiants et transmet l’importance du ePortfolio. En conséquence, nous proposons que les instructeurs eux aussi peuvent adopter une approche profonde, en surface et stratégique vis-à-vis des ePortfolios. Nos données indiquent qu’en général, les étudiants bénéficient le plus quand les instructeurs adoptent une approche profonde et intentionnelle vis-à-vis des ePortfolios, comme par exemple le fait de consacrer un investissement à long-terme dans le cours (par exemple, le fait de l’enseigner davantage qu’une seule fois), d’adopter une approche pratique vis-à-vis de l’administration du ePortfolio, et en assurant la conception en collaboration des activités du ePortfolio.

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