W4- Article Review - Farid

The effects of Second Life on the motivation of undergraduate students learning a foreign language
 Amy K. Wehner , Andrew W. Gump & Steve Downey (2011)

The aim of the study:

The research is aiming to define whether the use of Virtual Worlds; Second Life can support increase the motivation of student learning Spanish as a foreign language by examining the difference in motivation between undergraduate students.

Methods:

 The data in this study collected from two section of the same course in a university in the United States. Both sections were taught the same syllabus by the same lecturer except one section was taught the use of Second Life. Two hours orientation to instruct the students in Second Life, So the only difference between the two sessions was 10 hours addition of Second Life experience. One to two hours classes performed, five times per week and the students had to attend two sessions at least for a total of 10 sessions or 10 hours minimum. Students in the session of nun-Second Life taught the standard syllabus.

At the end of the semester, students in both sessions participated in 20 minutes survey based on Gardner’s Attitude\Motivation Test Battery to rate a series of statements using a six point Likert-Scale indicating whether they strongly agreed or disagreed.

Findings:

The second life group has a slightly more positive attitude towered Spanish courses than the control group. Also, the second life group showed having less anxiety in using Spanish and participating in the course than the students in the other group. Furthermore, no statistically significant difference in the students’ interest in learning Spanish as a foreign language between the two groups. Finally, there was similar result in the students’ motivational intensity towered learning Spanish between both groups.