Cultural literacy acquisition through video game environments of a digitally born generation.

Abstract

This thesis would not be possible without the help, encouragement and support of my supervisors who challenged my arguments, fed my curiosity and offered me inspiring concepts and ideas. I need to express my thanks to the participants of the experiments of the research for trusting me and helping me to test my hypotheses. Special thanks need to be given to the respondents of the survey for providing such exciting and stimulating answers. My heartfelt gratitude to my friends for their sincere interest in the topic of this thesis and for encouraging me to bravely press on in my times of doubt. My deepest thanks to my family, without your encouragement, as well as emotional and financial support, I would not have completed this thesis. Sincere thanks go to my better half whose unconditional love and support kept me going through endless writing days. I have got this far because you were behind me all the time.

Video Games as Awareness Raisers, Attitude Changers, and Agents of Social Change

“…The ubiquity of video games across diverse age groups, particularly among digital natives, underscores the need for ongoing research into their profound effects on players [56]. This study is aimed at deepening our of the efficacy of video games in addressing critical social issues, contributing to the growing body of evidence supporting their potential as agents of positive societal influence.…”

قصص لم تُكتشف: توجيه تأثير الأدب على تطوير ألعاب الفيديو والإبداع

“…Engaging with these virtual environments allows players to learn about various perspectives and gain a more profound understanding of the cultural intricacies shaping our world (O. Shliakhovchuk, 2019).…”

Investigating the Potential of Online Video Games in Enhancing EFL Learners' Communication Skills

“…In 2019, E Shliakhovchuk [6] investigated the potential of the game "The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion" in acquiring cultural literacy, intercultural communicative skills, and broadening intercultural empathy. The results of the study suggest that video games have a powerful influence in reinforcing and weakening social labels and minority stereotypes, as well as providing the users with a deep understanding of socio-political issues such as racism and Eurocentrism.…”

“…The results of the study suggest that video games have a powerful influence in reinforcing and weakening social labels and minority stereotypes, as well as providing the users with a deep understanding of socio-political issues such as racism and Eurocentrism. The researcher disclosed the results of the study as follows: "video games help acquire cultural knowledge and develop intercultural literacy, socio-cultural literacy, cultural awareness, self-awareness, and the cultural understanding of different geopolitical spaces; and to some extent also facilitate the development of intercultural skills" E. Shliakhovchuk [6] A study by S Alhabash [1] explored the potential of video games in enhancing American students' cultural awareness of foreign nations as well as an understanding of international conflicts. The study investigated how the game PeaceMaker, a role-playing video game simulation of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, would affect the explicit and implicit attitudes of American students toward Palestine and Israel as two separated countries and two different people.…”