Wireless Collaborative Virtual Environments Applied to Language Education

Abstract

This chapter provides an overview of second language learning and an approach on how wireless collaborative virtual reality can contribute to resolving important pedagogical challenges. Second language learning provides an exceptional opportunity to employ mobility and multimedia in the context of just-in-time-learning in formal learning situations, or ubiquitous and lifelong learning in more informal settings. We hypothesize that virtual reality is a tool that can help teach languages in a collaborative manner in that it permits students to use visual, auditory, and kinesthetic stimuli to provide a more “real-life” context, based in large part on Computer-Supported Collaborative Learning. Studies are being conducted in which we assess usability, wireless multimedia technology, and collaborative learning aspects to discover how virtual reality can help students overcome language and anxiety barriers. Furthermore, we suggest carrying out longitudinal studies to determine to what extent wireless, mobile, and collaborative virtual reality can contribute to language instruction.