SiLangSerious Games for Situated Learning of Vehicular

Languages Addressing Work Needs

H. Tsalapatas, O. Heidmann, R. Alimisi, E. Houstis

Life Long Learning KA2 Project: 530951-LLP-1-2012-1-GR-KA2-KA2MP

The idea 1/2

• Individuals are often called to communicate in a foreign language in cultural settings that diverge significantly from their own and from one country to another.

• To meet work objectives, professionals rely on vehicular languages, such as English, German, or French.

The idea 2/2

Professional training programs strive to bring language competency to working levels, but many fail to address the diverging use of a “lingua franca” with its own variations, specific localized expressions and communication norms.

siLang objectives

The project will improve efficiency in business communication, competitiveness and employability in the partner countries, by implementing:• A situated mobile-enabled serious game for

language learning on business communication• Adaptable learning activities immersing learners

into rich, cultural work-related experiences• Good practices on deployment, targeting trainers.

The consortium

University of Thessaly (Coordinator) Center for Research& Technology Hellas European Welding FederationUniversita degli Studi Gulielmo Marconi Tallinn University HiST Contract Research

siLang methodologies

• Problem- based learning• Situated Learning• Game-based learning – Serious game approach

Problem- based learning

Problem-based learning focuses on:• The use of self-directed learning skills• The formulation and prioritization of key

learning objectives in the context of a given scenario

• The collection of additional information which is considered useful for addressing those objectives

Situated learning scenarios

Model of situated cognition

«meaningful learning experiences can occur when students are enculturated into authentic practices

through activity and social interaction»Brown, Collins and Duguid (1989)

Brown, J. S., Collins, A. and Duguid, P. (1989). Situated cognition and the culture of learning. Educational Researcher, Vol. 18, No. 1, pp. 32-42

Game- based learning

Model of Game-based Learning integrated in the siLang didactical framework (picture retrieved from Garris et al, 2002)

Garris, R., Ahlers, R., & Driskell, J. E. (2002). Games, motivation, and learning: a research and practice model. Simulation & Gaming, 33(4), 441-467

The siLang process

Identify the issues native Italians/Greeks/Portuguese/Estonians/Norwegians have with English

Create scenarios to address those issues,both from the point of view of the speaker

and the one spoken to

Implement thosescenarios in thesiLang software

Prepare the material neededin the scenarios (video, audio,

text, etc…)

Order of completion, from bottom to top

What is a ‘siLang scenario’?

• A real-life situation in which the user either has to practice English language in specific cultural contexts.

• A way to address an issue related to language learning which has been detected by a partner.

Possible scenarios You are at the Greek airport. A male employee in the information desk gives you directions about reaching the city center and the meeting place. Listen to him carefully and sketch the route in the graphical map using the appropriate tools.

Issues tackled:

Interpretation, listening, comprehension

Possible scenarios You have just received a sms sent from your colleague’s smartphone: Your colleague is asking for directions. She feels confused but close enough to the meeting place. Check the location of your colleague and based on your experience, type down a message and send it to her providing directions and help

Issues tackled:

Writing, practicing prepositions and modal verbs

The siLang software : a collection of scenarios

Scenario(understanding local English)

Scenario(expressing oneself in English)

Scenario(expressing oneself in English)

Scenario(expressing oneself in English)

Scenario(expressing oneself in English)

Scenario(understanding local English)

Scenario(understanding local english)

Scenario(understanding local English)

…

…

siLang

The siLang software : adaptive to the user

Scenario(understanding local english)

Scenario(expressing oneself

in english)

Scenario(expressing oneself

in english)

Scenario(expressing oneself

in english)

Scenario(expressing oneself

in english)

Scenario(understanding local english)

Scenario(understanding local english)

Scenario(understanding local english) …

…

siLang

PHASE 2

PHASE 3

PHASE 1The user answers some

questions (nationality) and select its area of interest

Selection of the relevant scenario by the software

The user plays the

siLang serious game

Main characteristics:Situated adaptablePortableMicro-worldsTouch-screen interfacesTraditional Internet accessMobile access

The siLang serious gameTransfer effects tackled:◦ syntax◦ basic vocabulary and

expression repertory◦ basic communication in

business ◦ practicing verbal

communication

Serious Game Design Principles

siLang innovation

siLang’s innovative approach in terms of serious gaming will be based on:• Integrating diverging language uses between

natives and non-natives;• Adaptability of learning situations • Instructor support • Use of “micro-worlds” for immersive, learning-

by-doing activities.

Evaluation plan

Evaluation through:• Teaching experiments• Engagement of teacher and learner user group– Professionals, higher education students,

vocational workers

External Evaluation Plan

• Portugal (2 groups) – 50 vocational workers and professional engineers– EWF will test the product in another 3 partner

countries from its network with the participation of 20 vocational workers at each of these sites.

• Italy (2 groups)– 10 higher education students at USGM – 10 professionals and vocational workers enrolled

into lifelong learning activities at USGM

• Greece (1 site)– higher education students at the University of

Thessaly; the group will consist of approximately 30 students

• Norway (3 sites)– 10 higher education students at Sor Trondelag

University College – 10 external vocational workers – 10 high school students in the area of Trondheim

• Estonia (1 site)– 15 higher education students and engineers at TLU

Find siLang online at: http://si-lang.net

University of Thessaly (Coordinator)

Center for Research& Technology Hellas

European Welding Federation

Universita degli Studi Gulielmo Marconi

Tallinn University

HiST Contract Research

This project has been funded with support from the European Commission.This communication reflects the views only of the author, and the Commission cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained therein.