Article

Learning in massively multiplayer online games

Author:

Constance A. SteinkuehlerAuthors Info & Claims

ICLS '04: Proceedings of the 6th international conference on Learning sciences

Pages 521 - 528

Published: 22 June 2004 Publication History

Abstract

Given their increasing domination of the entertainment industry and wide spread popularity among a wide range of populations, massively multiplayer online videogames (MMOGs) are quickly becoming the form of entertainment and a major mechanism of socialization. Researchers have taken notice, and educational MMOGs are now beginning to emerge; however, there is a paucity of research on the actual culture/cognition of MMOGameplay, despite its necessity for sound theory and viable design. This paper outlines an ongoing cognitive ethnography of a currently thriving MMOG. Using discourse analytic methods, this project is developing a "thick description" (Geertz, 1973) of naturally-occurring gameplay, paying particular attention to the forms of socially and materially distributed cognition that emerge, the learning mechanisms embedded within community practice, and the ways in which participation shapes and is shaped by the situated (on-and off-screen) identities of its members. After outlining the data collection and analysis methods used, I present an illustrative analysis of selected data and preliminary findings specific to learning within this new virtual space for play.

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Cited By

Ringland KDeterding SKhosmood FPirker JApperley T(2019)"Do you work for aperture science?"Proceedings of the 14th International Conference on the Foundations of Digital Games10.1145/3337722.3337766(1-8)Online publication date: 26-Aug-2019
https://dl.acm.org/doi/10.1145/3337722.3337766
Cho ATsaasan ASteinkuehler CDeterding SKhosmood FPirker JApperley T(2019)The building blocks of an educational esports leagueProceedings of the 14th International Conference on the Foundations of Digital Games10.1145/3337722.3337738(1-11)Online publication date: 26-Aug-2019
https://dl.acm.org/doi/10.1145/3337722.3337738
Davis KBoss JMeas P(2018)Playing in the Virtual SandboxInternational Journal of Game-Based Learning10.4018/IJGBL.20180701048:3(56-76)Online publication date: 1-Jul-2018
https://dl.acm.org/doi/10.4018/IJGBL.2018070104
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Learning in massively multiplayer online games

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Published In

cover image DL Hosted proceedings

ICLS '04: Proceedings of the 6th international conference on Learning sciences

June 2004

677 pages

Conference Chairs:
Yasmin B. Kafai
University of California, Los Angeles
,
William A. Sandoval
University of California, Los Angeles
,
Noel Enyedy
University of California, Los Angeles

Sponsors

CDI: Center for Digital Innovation
CST: University of Southern California Center for Scholarly Technology
CRESST: Center for Research on Evaluation, Standards, and Student Testing
UC ACCORD: University of California All Campus Consortium on research for Diversity
CENS: Center for Environmental Networking systems
DiME: Center for Diversity in Mathematics Education
University of California, Los Angeles

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International Society of the Learning Sciences

Publication History

Published: 22 June 2004

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ICLS '04 Paper Acceptance Rate 88 of 88 submissions, 100%;

Overall Acceptance Rate 307 of 307 submissions, 100%

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Cited By

Ringland KDeterding SKhosmood FPirker JApperley T(2019)"Do you work for aperture science?"Proceedings of the 14th International Conference on the Foundations of Digital Games10.1145/3337722.3337766(1-8)Online publication date: 26-Aug-2019
https://dl.acm.org/doi/10.1145/3337722.3337766
Cho ATsaasan ASteinkuehler CDeterding SKhosmood FPirker JApperley T(2019)The building blocks of an educational esports leagueProceedings of the 14th International Conference on the Foundations of Digital Games10.1145/3337722.3337738(1-11)Online publication date: 26-Aug-2019
https://dl.acm.org/doi/10.1145/3337722.3337738
Davis KBoss JMeas P(2018)Playing in the Virtual SandboxInternational Journal of Game-Based Learning10.4018/IJGBL.20180701048:3(56-76)Online publication date: 1-Jul-2018
https://dl.acm.org/doi/10.4018/IJGBL.2018070104
Slovak PSalen KTa SFitzpatrick GMandryk RHancock MPerry MCox A(2018)Mediating Conflicts in MinecraftProceedings of the 2018 CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems10.1145/3173574.3174169(1-13)Online publication date: 21-Apr-2018
https://dl.acm.org/doi/10.1145/3173574.3174169
Park BLee D(2017)The Interplay between Real Money Trade and Narrative Structure in Massively Multiplayer Online Role-Playing GamesInternational Journal of Computer Games Technology10.1155/2017/38539622017(1)Online publication date: 1-Feb-2017
https://dl.acm.org/doi/10.1155/2017/3853962
Dalsen JDeterding SCanossa AHarteveld CZhu JSicart M(2017)Classroom implementation of a games-based activity on astronomy in higher educationProceedings of the 12th International Conference on the Foundations of Digital Games10.1145/3102071.3106364(1-3)Online publication date: 14-Aug-2017
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Majeed ABaadel SWilliams M(2017)Semantics of Intelligent Learning Environment (ILE)Proceedings of the 8th International Conference on E-Education, E-Business, E-Management and E-Learning10.1145/3026480.3026488(24-29)Online publication date: 5-Jan-2017
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Cheng MRosenheck LLin CKlopfer E(2017)Analyzing gameplay data to inform feedback loops in The Radix EndeavorComputers & Education10.1016/j.compedu.2017.03.015111:C(60-73)Online publication date: 1-Aug-2017
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Campbell JAragon CDavis KEvans SEvans ARandall DGergle DMorris MBjørn PKonstan J(2016)Thousands of Positive ReviewsProceedings of the 19th ACM Conference on Computer-Supported Cooperative Work & Social Computing10.1145/2818048.2819934(691-704)Online publication date: 27-Feb-2016
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Lakhmani SOppold PRupp MSzalma JHancock P(2016)Heterogeneous knowledge distribution in MMO player behaviorComputers in Human Behavior10.1016/j.chb.2015.09.03255:PA(455-467)Online publication date: 1-Feb-2016
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