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Multimodal research: Addressing the complexity of multimodal environments and the challenges for CALL

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  07 July 2016

Sabine Tan ,
Kay L. O’Halloran  and
Peter Wignell
Sabine Tan
Affiliation:
Faculty of Humanities, Curtin University, Kent Street, Bentley, Western Australia (email: [email protected])
Kay L. O’Halloran
Affiliation:
Professor, School of Education, Curtin University, Kent Street, Bentley, Western Australia (email: [email protected])
Peter Wignell
Affiliation:
Faculty of Humanities, Curtin University, Kent Street, Bentley, Western Australia (email: [email protected])
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Abstract

Multimodality, the study of the interaction of language with other semiotic resources such as images and sound resources, has significant implications for computer assisted language learning (CALL) with regards to understanding the impact of digital environments on language teaching and learning. In this paper, we explore recent manifestations of CALL in 3-D virtual worlds, illustrated by the example of Second Life. The multimodal analyses of a conventional face-to-face lesson and three language learning activities in Second Life highlight some of the affordances and challenges presented by 3-D virtual environments. The results suggest that while multimodal resources integrate naturally to facilitate language teaching and learning in an orderly, structured and goal-orientated manner in classroom lessons, the often uncoordinated use (or absence) of avatars’ gaze, facial expression, body posture, gesture, as well as the unclear proxemics and use of space pose problems for effective communication in a 3-D virtual world. In addition, a “technology-oriented” register, alongside traditional instructional and regulative genres and registers, is introduced to help students cope with the demands of learning a language in a 3-D virtual environment. The study raises the issue of the relative effectiveness of 3-D virtual worlds for language teaching and learning. In doing so, a digital approach to multimodal research is proposed in order to address the complexity of multimodal learning environments and the various challenges for CALL.

Keywords

multimodalitymultimodal analysissocial semiotic3-D virtual environmentsSecond Life
Type
Regular papers
Information
ReCALL , Volume 28 , Special Issue 3: Multimodal Environments in CALL , September 2016 , pp. 253 - 273
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Copyright
Copyright © European Association for Computer Assisted Language Learning 2016 

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