The WIDE World Web

WIDE's multiplayer role-playing game INK mentioned in Journal of Adult Literacy

May 7, 2009 - by Bill Hart-Davidson, from the blogs Billblog IV, WIDE World Web

INK gets a mention in the March 2009 issue of the Journal of Adolescent and Adult Literacy in an article entitled "Learning Argument Practices Through Online Role Play: Toward a Rhetoric of Significance and Transformation."

The article by Richard Beach & Candice Doer-Stevens mentions INK among a list of sites that involve argumentative writing and role playing.

Abstract:

One important literacy practice is the ability to formulate effective arguments to convince others of the validity of one's position. In this commentary, we discuss the literacy practices involved in formulating arguments as well as the challenges involved in helping students acquire these practices. In contrast to more traditional approaches to teaching argument, we propose that students can learn these practices through participation in online role-play activities. We also argue that students will be more motivated to engage in online role-play if they are debating an issue or problem that affects their everyday lives and that will lead to change, an approach driven by what we describe as a rhetoric of significance and transformation. We believe that it is important that students learn how to engage in these collaborative arguments with others to address and solve problems in their everyday lives. In this commentary, we propose some activities designed to foster use of collaborative arguments in the classroom through the use of online role-play.