social networking in language class

Knobel and Lankshear claim that online social networking can improve people's literacy which is not simply about the "letteracy" (like reading and writing abilities), but also means the capability of generating, communicating and negotiation by interpersonal interaction. Looking at my own experience, I admit that I read and write more via social networking since browsing through my social networking home pages has become a routine in my daily life. However, McBride argues that people read and write not in the same way as they do in the regular reading and writing. They intend to scan the online text and use simplified language and spelling. As a result, reading and writing via social network may not fit the goal of extending reading and writing for language learning class.

I think that social networking exposes students to an environment that the language is used naturally by its speakers. They might encounter some simplified spellings and grammar which is informal and vernacular, but at least they know under what circumstance they can use the language in that way. Their literacy of the language is improved by seeing how other people (especially native speakers) use the language to communicate, generate and negotiate, even though the language form is non-standard.

I am assuming that social network can serve as a supplement to the language class since it opens a new door for students to intake and output the target language. But my concern is that students may feel they are forced to use social networking (like their participation and performance would be graded), or working on social networking imposes a great burden on them, or they may be obsessed with it (like spending hours and hours on their homepage and visiting others).

about WoW

I tried it out last Thursday, but for some reason, I didn't find you guys there. I played alone, and had problem in completing the quest(I couldn't tell where the inn is, and whom I am supposed to talk with). I walked and walked, and suddenly I was killed by a coyote(or some kind of animal) in Westfall. Then an angel appeared, healing my spirit. I became a ghost.

I didn't give up. I created a second character, but.....guess what, I died again~I felt kind of frustrated.

Anyway, I can tell that WoW is an exciting and attractive game. I would like playing it if I get into the right track(playing in a team with some experienced players is way too much better than doing it alone as a greet hand)

I also see some language learning involved in the game. When creating the character, many new vocabulary there. I met some farmers in the Westfall, they greeted me, and I can also chat with other players. We don't learn the language to play the game, but learning the language unconsciously while playing the game.

Reading games

I found some reading games on this website.
Reading Games

I tried all of them. These games are good for young learners form the beginning to pre-intermediate level. They focus on vocabulary, pronunciation, homophones, synonyms, prefix&suffix, etc. They are asynchronous and single play games. In addition, all games provide clear instruction and demonstration. which means they are good resources for students to practice English on their own. The game itself is not difficult, but it is also a good source for the teacher to get some ideas from these games and also to design some class activities similar to them.

There are other interactives under Teachers' Resources (like interactive whiteboard lesson which also enables learners to participate).

The thing I like best is that the games and interactives provide learners with lots of listening input, so learners can also practice their pronunciation and speaking by listening and imitating what the people say in the game. They can also learn some language usage. When I got the right answer, I heard 'Good job', 'Terrific', 'well done',etc, and other expression to encourage me to try again when I failed. I assume players' communicative competence is developed to some extent.

These games are easy, but it is worth adopting them to ESL/EFL classes.

Anyone tries World of Warcraft?

I just downloaded world of warcraft. Unfortunately, I was lost (am I a digital native? I doubt). I was supposed to quest something, but I have no idea.
Now I understand what the "Digital Immigrant accent" is in Prensky's paper. I prefer to be told how to play the game.
OK, could anyone who has figured out how to play the game show me what I am supposed to do in the game? Or, we can discuss the game a little during the class.