Social and communication skills in english through virtual or simulated environment

Virtual world or environment such as MOO (MUD- Multi-User Domain,Object Oriented) is one of the predominantly text-based synchronous Computer Mediated Communication (CMC) tools. Since early 1990s, MOO has generated much interest among second language researchers. However, to date, not many studies h...

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Main Authors: Wan Mansor, Wan Fara Adlina, Zakaria, Mohamad Hassan, Mustaffa, Faizal Yamimi
Format: Monograph
Language:English
Published: Universiti Teknologi Malaysia 2004
Subjects:
Online Access:http://eprints.utm.my/2753/1/71994.pdf
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author Wan Mansor, Wan Fara Adlina
Zakaria, Mohamad Hassan
Mustaffa, Faizal Yamimi
author_facet Wan Mansor, Wan Fara Adlina
Zakaria, Mohamad Hassan
Mustaffa, Faizal Yamimi
author_sort Wan Mansor, Wan Fara Adlina
collection ePrints
description Virtual world or environment such as MOO (MUD- Multi-User Domain,Object Oriented) is one of the predominantly text-based synchronous Computer Mediated Communication (CMC) tools. Since early 1990s, MOO has generated much interest among second language researchers. However, to date, not many studies have focused on the impact of using MOO on face-to-face communication skills. For the purpose of this research, in UTM, a full-fledged virtual university called UniTekMOO, was developed and regularly updated to benefit the students in their English communication skills and specific areas of study. With the construction of the virtual campus of UnitekMOO, this study began investigating on the effects of MOO on learners’ communication skills and on their attitudes towards English language learning. Data were gathered through participant observation (done virtually), classroom observation, questionnaire and online interview. Content and conversational analysis were also done on the MOO chatlogs. Through interviews and questionnaires, learners believed that their interaction experiences within the MOO had improved their communication skills. In particular, more than half of the students felt that their interactions within the MOO environment have i) boosted their interest in learning English, ii) helped improve their spelling, and iii) increased their confidence in face-to-face interactions in English. We would recommend that the UnitekMOO be made available to students to practice using the target language as activities to complement their regular English proficiency classes.
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spelling utm.eprints-27532011-12-08T09:28:12Z http://eprints.utm.my/2753/ Social and communication skills in english through virtual or simulated environment Wan Mansor, Wan Fara Adlina Zakaria, Mohamad Hassan Mustaffa, Faizal Yamimi H Social Sciences (General) Virtual world or environment such as MOO (MUD- Multi-User Domain,Object Oriented) is one of the predominantly text-based synchronous Computer Mediated Communication (CMC) tools. Since early 1990s, MOO has generated much interest among second language researchers. However, to date, not many studies have focused on the impact of using MOO on face-to-face communication skills. For the purpose of this research, in UTM, a full-fledged virtual university called UniTekMOO, was developed and regularly updated to benefit the students in their English communication skills and specific areas of study. With the construction of the virtual campus of UnitekMOO, this study began investigating on the effects of MOO on learners’ communication skills and on their attitudes towards English language learning. Data were gathered through participant observation (done virtually), classroom observation, questionnaire and online interview. Content and conversational analysis were also done on the MOO chatlogs. Through interviews and questionnaires, learners believed that their interaction experiences within the MOO had improved their communication skills. In particular, more than half of the students felt that their interactions within the MOO environment have i) boosted their interest in learning English, ii) helped improve their spelling, and iii) increased their confidence in face-to-face interactions in English. We would recommend that the UnitekMOO be made available to students to practice using the target language as activities to complement their regular English proficiency classes. Universiti Teknologi Malaysia 2004-06-30 Monograph NonPeerReviewed application/pdf en http://eprints.utm.my/2753/1/71994.pdf Wan Mansor, Wan Fara Adlina and Zakaria, Mohamad Hassan and Mustaffa, Faizal Yamimi (2004) Social and communication skills in english through virtual or simulated environment. Project Report. Universiti Teknologi Malaysia. (Unpublished)
spellingShingle H Social Sciences (General)
Wan Mansor, Wan Fara Adlina
Zakaria, Mohamad Hassan
Mustaffa, Faizal Yamimi
Social and communication skills in english through virtual or simulated environment
title Social and communication skills in english through virtual or simulated environment
title_full Social and communication skills in english through virtual or simulated environment
title_fullStr Social and communication skills in english through virtual or simulated environment
title_full_unstemmed Social and communication skills in english through virtual or simulated environment
title_short Social and communication skills in english through virtual or simulated environment
title_sort social and communication skills in english through virtual or simulated environment
topic H Social Sciences (General)
url http://eprints.utm.my/2753/1/71994.pdf
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