Designing and Implementing a Paradigm of Interactive and Communicative Cultural Playspaces in an On-Line Language Learning Program

Abstract

Since 2000, the Hellenic American Union (Greece) and the Academy of Electronic Media at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (USA) have been involved in the development of Hellas Alive©, an on-line language and culture learning program for Greek as a Foreign or Second Language. Users of Hellas Alive© work in a virtual environment, which supports autonomous exploration, simulation, representation and collaboration, and are provided with multiple learning opportunities in the form of an immersive 3D world, rich multimedia content, synchronous and asynchronous learning tools, and interactive cultural playspaces. The aim of these playspaces is two-fold: On the one hand, they promote language learning in a variety of realistic contexts and in a way consonant with current educational communicative methodology. On the other hand, they raise the user’s cultural awareness. Thus, the playspaces address a broad audience that encompasses not only ordinary language learners, but also those who are intrigued by the idea of cultural information, contact and awareness. Both objectives are implemented with a very high degree of interactivity. Eight types of playspaces have been developed so far: How To, Art Exploration, Documentary, Maps and Directions, Meet the Parea, Word Games, Let’s Talk Greek, and Scavenger Hunt.