Video Games, Learning and Literacy (VGLL) is a new research and development project of the Centre for Literacy of the University of Malta.
Following the success of previous ICT projects of the Centre for Literacy namely, LinguaNet PLus, ODISEAME, ELNPlus, FEEL, Euro-Inclusion and current ones like TOOL (Tools for On-line and Off-line Learning), Europodians (Teaching Languages through the ipod) and UNITE (An FP6 project in e- and mobile learning) the Centre for Literacy has now embarked on a new research and development project: Video Games, Leaning and Literacy (VGLL) in conjunction with a number of partner Universities abroad and IT agencies. This R&D project will seek to promote and extend recent international research findings about the effects of video gaming on learning and the development of literacy.
Video games (read also computer games) have become an essential feature in the lives of most of our children and young people. There are various implications for education and the way in which the new generation of 'digital natives' learn. Our educators and schools may have a lot to learn from the learning principles employed by those involved in video gaming. For more information contact the Centre Director: Professor Charles L. Mifsud.
Video Games Lecture at the Centre for Literacy
Laura Kaspari Hohmann was recently a guest speaker at the Centre for Literacy of the University of Malta. Her visit was made possible through the US Embassy. She spoke about: Video Games and English Language Teaching, and conducted sessions with different student groups.
Professor Charles L. Mifsud, Director of the Centre for Literacy of the University of Malta, said that the visit of Professor Hohmann was very significant in view of the research activities of the Centre for Literacy which deal with the impact of Video Games on Student Learning. A number of students are also conducting research in this field. Professor Mifsud expressed his thanks to the US Embassy for making possible this visit.
Laura Kaspari Hohmann is originally from Colorado and received her degrees from the University of Colorado at Boulder and the University of Denver. She currently lives in Rome and travels throughout Southern Europe for work. Prior to joining the Foreign Service, she worked in academic libraries, most recently as the library director at Northern Marianas College in Saipan in the Western Pacific. She also spent a year teaching English in China.
The number of children using smartphones and tablets is rising. Whether you opt for a smartphone, or a tablet, there will be plenty of child-friendly content to consider. Tablets have many advantages for children, with videos and apps to keep them entertained and educational games to help with learning. There are many Story Apps on the market. It is important to know what makes a Story App good, how your child can make the most out of it and what safety issues you should consider. The Guidelines for Parents are available in English [PDF] and in Maltese [PDF].
The Centre for Literacy is participating in a Europe-wide project on the use of digital technologies by families with young children, in conjunction with the Joint Research Centre (JRC) of the European Union. The Malta National Report discusses the level of technologisation of childhood in Malta, the use of digital devices by families, finding the right balance when using technology, and the changing role of parents and their concerns. Download the report: Young Children (0-8) and Digital Technology - The National Report for Malta [PDF]
UNITE is an IST project under the FP6 framework, having as its main aim to combine different state-of-the-art technologies in e-learning, in order to provide innovative services in an area at the heart of Europe’s knowledge society: the education of young Europeans.
Using mobile technology, Europe’s flagship technology, to enhance the learning experience and to break down the school walls will pave the way for a major shift of the traditional learning paradigm. In opposition to the rather rigid, culturally “neutral” learning management systems crossing the Atlantic to invade Europe’s learning scene, UNITE’s technology has the flexibility to adapt to the pupils' cultural environment and to their personal learning styles. UNITE will demonstrate the need for and the availability of technology capable of supporting the evolution towards the e- and mobile Learning world of tomorrow whilst taking into account the richness of the past.
Europodians is an EU-wide project that will see universities deploy language courses on mobile devices like phones, iPods and PDAs. The project involves work with universities to create and distribute a series of language training courses to be used on mobile devices. The project, which involves 11 European countries including Spain, Turkey, Malta, and a number of countries from eastern Europe, is funded under the EU Socrates Programme.
Lingu@net Europa is a multilingual resource centre to support foreign language teaching, learning, and training. It offers quality-assured information and materials for language teachers and learners. It provides information about, and links to good online resources from around the world relating to the learning and teaching of any modern foreign language.
The LRC project sought to support language learning through Language Resource Centres (LRCs). This project was coordinated by CILT, the National Centre for Languages (UK) and received support from the European Union Socrates (Lingua 1) programme from 2001 to 2003.
The LRC project aimed to improve and support language teaching and learning by sharing expertise between Language Resource Centres throughout Europe. It brought together a network of 17 partners from 13 countries.
One of the main results of the project was the publication: LRC Handbook: Guidelines for setting up, running and expanding Language Resource Centres [PDF]
eEuro Inclusion gives less widely used and less taught (LWULT) languages in Europe a stronger voice by bringing together LWULT Language Resource Centres (LRC) from a large number of European countries. This is necessary if LWULT languages are to contribute fully to the future educational and cultural heritage of Europe. eEuro Inclusion gives LWULT LRCs greater visibility at the European level. The online exchange of knowledge, expertise and experience between LRCs is a first step towards the founding of a pan-European Association of LWULT LRCs.
eEuro Inclusion has two main target groups: LRCs that provide LWULT language services and potential seekers of these services.
Open, Distance, Inter-university Synergies Between Europe, Africa and Middle East - ODISEAME is an e-learning pilot project coordinated by CEDETEL of Spain. Twelve universities from different Euro-Mediterranean countries participated in this project, which was been funded by the European Union in the framework of the EUMEDIS initiative. The project platform has been used successfully by the participant universities: University of Salamanca, University of Granada, Fachhochschule für Technik und Wirtschaft, University of Malta, Islamic University of Gaza, University of Jordan, Anadolu University, Jordan University of Science and Technology, University of Cyprus, Institut Agronomique et Vétérinaire Hassan II, Frederick Institut of Technology and University of Valladolid. Lecturers from these institutions gave courses corresponding to their higher education official programmes to students from as many as 33 different countries.
Euro Languages Net Plus is a website in 23 languages for those who wish to know more about European languages, the countries where they are spoken and their culture. It highlights the importance of knowing foreign languages for mobility, employment and social interaction. The website will help you to choose what, where, why and how to learn. You will find links to traditional and innovative resources and courses, both in print and online. There is also background information about the languages, the countries where they are spoken and their culture. If you are a language teacher, you will get an opportunity to relate your experience to that of colleagues from other countries.
Tool for Online and Offline Language Learning is building Blended Learning language courses in five European languages: Maltese, Dutch, Estonian, Hungarian and Slovene. These courses are designed for students who have had an initial introduction to one of the languages and who wish to progress from a basic survival level to a higher competency (A2 of the Common European Framework). The project results are for Language schools and Colleges. The partners in this project are experts in language education and technology in education, from across Europe.
Literacy Resource Pack - Phonics cards (2008)
compiled by Elaine Mifsud-Scicluna(Centre for Literacy, University of Malta)
Rhythm and Rhyme/Taqbil u Għanjiet (2008)
compiled by Maria G. Sammut in conjunction with the Floriana Primary School (Centre for Literacy, University of Malta)
SISIEN (2006)
An Adult Literacy Resource Pack for the teaching of Maltese, consisting of three books: Ngħallmu Lsienna,
Inħaddmu Lsienna and
Nitħarrġu fi Lsienna.
An audio CD, 24 discussion cards and 16 A3 educational posters, all illustrated in colour.
(author: David Muscat, designed by Ġorġ Mallia, project coordinated by Charles L. Mifsud)
The Language Resource Centre Handbook: Guidelines for setting up, running and expanding Language Resource Centres (LRCs) (2003)
Lingua Project, Kastaniotis Editions, Athens.
Niktbu u Naqraw – Ktejjeb ta’ Taħriġ (2001)
Literacy Unit, University of Malta, Malta.
