Technology Enhanced Language Learning in Virtual Worlds

The Application of Information Technology in Language Learning

Information technologies that applied to language learning include multimedia, internet, web, wireless network, mobile devices, web2.0 and web 3.0. Following briefly describe the application of information technology in language learning (see figure 1).

Figure 1.

Application of information technology in language learning

• Multimedia: According to Wikipedia, multimedia refers to media such as text, pictures, sound and film that are transmitted through internet, audio books, compact disks and satellite. Therefore, the teaching materials in language learning are closely related to multimedia.

• Internet: Internet is a network of networks that consist of millions of private, public, academic, business and government networks. The applications of internet in language learning are e-mail, video conference, blog, e-Portfolio, etc.

• Web technology: A web is created by editing HTML and XML while a 3D web is created by editing VRML. The content of a web includes texts, pictures, sound, and films.

• Wireless network: Owing that wireless network can transmit data without passing through internet cable, it has characteristics of high motion, high flexibility, low cost, and easy to set up. Nowadays, mobile devices such as notebook, PDA and wireless phone have become cheaper and cheaper. More and more people surf the net by mobile devices via wireless network.

• Mobile devices: Mobile devices such as smart phone Personal Digital Assistant (PDA), and mobile phone are portable devices. Teachers or students may connect to the internet via wireless network or 3G-network while they are doing outside learning activities.

• Web 2.0: Web 2.0 is a platform where terminal users are encouraged to use collective intelligence and collaboration to form communities of practice.

• Web 3.0: Three dimensional virtual technologies can make users become avatars in virtual worlds. Virtual worlds have senses of presence, authentic and immersive. Teachers and students can do synchronous teaching in virtual worlds.

• Cloud computing: Cloud computing can distribute complicated information to different servers to do parallel-computing. It shortens users’ time for waiting and plays an important role in determining users’ satisfaction. As for the application of cloud computing to language teachings, teachers will get the information they want without knowing which server they are using.

Therefore, digital learning is a kind of distance learning that grow with the development of information technology. With the increasing of digitalized data on the internet, digital libraries are thus appeared. Useful data will be stored in digital libraries for learners to download. Getting information from digital libraries saves a lot of time for learners. However, when the stored data is up to the limited in a library, learners have to wait for a long time to get what they want. Cloud computing has solved the problem of long waiting time by distribute data to different servers. Students’ digital lives in school are therefore formed by distance learning, digital learning, digital library and cloud computing (see figure 2).

Figure 2.

Digital life