Technology and the Changing Nature of Narratives in Language Learning and Teaching

Abstract

Two different types of technology-enabled stories that can help expand the notion of narratives are discussed in this chapter. The narratives found in digital storytelling and video games offer new possibilities and advantages for language learners and instructors. They are multimodal, immersive, and authentic; they offer significant motivational benefits and allow for agentive, situated, and participatory learning. Both forms, DST and video games, exemplify new modes of relating meaningful narratives. Media creation and sharing as well as gaming are familiar domains for today's learners. Thus, if these authentic practices are part of the learner's everyday experiences, it makes sense to utilize their potential for educational purposes. As the review of some applications in this chapter indicates, there is an area of convergence that is of particular interest for language learning purposes and may lead us to contemplate a redefinition of these narrative forms. In addition to more traditional narratives, these new and emergent forms can and should be represented in language learning curricula.

Citation

Kronenberg, F.A. (2013), "Technology and the Changing Nature of Narratives in Language Learning and Teaching", Wankel, L.A. and Blessinger, P. (Ed.) Increasing Student Engagement and Retention using Multimedia Technologies: Video Annotation, Multimedia Applications, Videoconferencing and Transmedia Storytelling (Cutting-Edge Technologies in Higher Education, Vol. 6 Part F), Emerald Group Publishing Limited, Leeds, pp. 95-119. https://doi.org/10.1108/S2044-9968(2013)000006F007