Gaming As a Literacy Practice Amy Conlin Hall Dissertation Submitted
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Gaming as a Literacy Practice Amy Conlin Hall Dissertation submitted to the faculty of the Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University in partial fulfillment of the requirement for the degree of Doctor of Education In Curriculum and Instruction Rosary V. Lalik, Chair Gabriella M. Belli Susan G. Magliaro Carol C. Robinson August 3, 2011 Falls Church, Virginia Keywords: Adolescent, Gaming, Interpretivist, Literacy, Males Gaming as a Literacy Practice Amy Conlin Hall ABSTRACT This descriptive study was designed to be a detailed, informative study of a group of adult males who have been gamers since adolescence. The purposes of the study are to provide information regarding gaming as a literacy practice and to explore other vernacular technological literacy practices. The study sheds light on the merits of gaming and other new literacies by examining the literacy development of a select group of adult males. This research was centered on vernacular technological literacy practices, the evolution of gaming practices, gaming intersections, and supporting school-based literacy. Through extensive interviews with the researcher, the selected participants disclosed their gaming experiences as both adolescents and adults. They also shared their personal connections to gaming, and the technological literacy practices they are using in their present lives. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS I would like to give my deepest appreciation to my four committee members, Dr. Lalik, Dr. Belli, Dr. Magliaro, and Dr. Robinson for their unending support and encouragement throughout the entire process. Dr. Lalik deserves extraordinary recognition for her dedication in guiding me to my goal of finishing my dissertation. She never stopped exuding professionalism, support, and kindness. A special thanks goes to my father, Thomas J. Conlin, who is no longer with me. Five years ago, when he learned that I was getting married, he said to me, ―Promise me that you will finish.‖ I am here today to say, ―Dad, I did it and I love you!‖ iii Gaming as Literacy Practice TABLE OF CONTENTS ABSTRACT ................................................................................................................................ ii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ....................................................................................................... iii LIST OF TABLES .................................................................................................................... vii CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................ 1 Literacy ....................................................................................................................................... 1 Adolescent Males and Literacy Learning ................................................................................... 3 Gaming ........................................................................................................................................ 4 New Literacies ............................................................................................................................ 7 Sociocultural Perspectives of Literacy ........................................................................................ 9 Literacy Learning of Males Across Time ................................................................................. 11 Focus of the Study .................................................................................................................... 13 CHAPTER 2 REVIEW OF LITERATURE ............................................................................. 14 Literacy ..................................................................................................................................... 14 Adolescent Boys and Literacy .................................................................................................. 16 Gaming and Learning Theory ................................................................................................... 24 Gaming as Vernacular Pursuits ................................................................................................. 35 Gaming and Socialization ......................................................................................................... 37 Effective School Learning and Gaming .................................................................................... 40 Boys‘ Learning In and Outside of School................................................................................. 42 CHAPTER 3 METHOD ........................................................................................................... 45 Research Questions ................................................................................................................... 45 Research Interest ....................................................................................................................... 46 Research Design........................................................................................................................ 48 Study Participants ..................................................................................................................... 50 Selection Process ...................................................................................................................... 51 Data Collection ......................................................................................................................... 51 Initial interview ......................................................................................................................... 52 Follow-up interview .................................................................................................................. 53 Evolution timeline interview ..................................................................................................... 54 The participant profile interview .............................................................................................. 55 Summary of interviewing process ............................................................................................ 56 Pilot interview ........................................................................................................................... 57 Data Analysis ............................................................................................................................ 60 iv Gaming as Literacy Practice Content analysis ........................................................................................................................ 60 Data transformation .................................................................................................................. 61 Writing-Up the Data ................................................................................................................. 65 Summary ................................................................................................................................... 65 CHAPTER 4 INTERPRETATIONS ........................................................................................ 66 Overview of the Participant Group ........................................................................................... 66 Individual Profiles ..................................................................................................................... 67 Adam ......................................................................................................................................... 68 Brian .......................................................................................................................................... 73 Chris .......................................................................................................................................... 75 Dean .......................................................................................................................................... 75 Ethan ......................................................................................................................................... 76 Frank ......................................................................................................................................... 79 Greg........................................................................................................................................... 80 Henry......................................................................................................................................... 83 Ian ............................................................................................................................................. 86 Jay ............................................................................................................................................. 88 Kyle ........................................................................................................................................... 89 Lorenzo ..................................................................................................................................... 91 Current Vernacular Technological Literacy Practices .............................................................. 93 Gaming ...................................................................................................................................... 93 Texting .....................................................................................................................................