Videogames and oral interaction

Abstract

This research is aimed to analyze the impact of videogames in the oral interaction of learners from 2nd and 3rd grade of Bachillerato General Unificado from Unidad Educativa “Semillas de Vida” in Latacunga. The research work was pre-experimental with a mixed approach and it was carried out as a qualitative-quantitative study. The experiment was applied to 16 learners. There were a pre-test and a post-test which was scored by an adapted rubric from the Cambridge Assessing Speaking Performance – Level A2. It was a two-part test mainly focused on evaluating the oral interaction of learners by answering questions and describing pictures. Videogames were the main tool during the treatment because of one of its characteristics, the real time interaction; in which learners were encouraged to participate actively to reach a common goal to win a match. Learners were given a set of game-related vocabulary and phrases in order to practice it in the next step of the treatment to reach that goal. Thus, learners were exposed to videogames with the interactive game mechanic in which they had to work collaboratively and use the given vocabulary and phrases to communicate with each other during four weeks

Because of that encouragement they had not only to reach a game goal, but also and educational objective, developing a language skill and the ability to interact fluently. At the end of the research work it can be concluded that videogames influence in students’ learning, especially in the oral interaction. It is recommended for the educational field to research deeper about videogames, therefore it would be an excellent tool to keep learners engaged with the correct aim, and a well-designed curriculum.