I first joined the Learning, Design, and Technology program at UGA to develop my knowledge about technology integration in Education. Having in mind my previous academic and professional experiences in Language Teaching (English and Portuguese) and Literacy Development, I also aimed to learn about ways to improve language and literacy instruction with assistance of technological tools. Fortunately, the program has helped me to develop such thinking, and other experiences during the Research Masters and the first year of my PhD journey, both curricular and extracurricular, have led me to new directions and objectives. 

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           Taking into consideration past personal learning experiences with technology, my current goals for research are centered on learning with video games and video game design. I've already had the opportunity to use games as learning tools in language classes and witnessed their effects, such as motivation, collaboration, and fun. Moving forward, however, I am interested in observing how games can be used from a constructionist perspective, promoting critical thinking, collaboration, and meaningful learning. 

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           During the course of the Spring 2018 semester as UGA, I've had the chance to be participate in the "Games and Learning" course as a teaching assistant, which led me to an interest in K-12 teacher's experiences with game-based learning. That said, one of my research ideas is to explore how teachers' gaming experiences can shape their game-based teaching contexts. 

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           Finally, in my central research project, I intend to investigate how game development in game camps can foster students' literacy and/or foreign language skills. Due to the focus on language, the experience will focus on the creation of game types in which the narrative is the main component, such as roleplaying games and visual novels. Furthermore, along with the linguistic benefits, I'd like to investigate how this learning context fosters independent learning and critical thinking. 

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            Next, I describe some of the experiences I've had during this academic year, as well as a few future goals. 

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Published Articles

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da Silva, R. L.  (2017). Discussing video games, English as a lingua franca and multiculturalism: possible pathways. In Gimenez, T. et al. Language issues in a global world: insights from Brazil. Londrina: Ed. Do Autor.

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da Silva, R. L. (2017). Diversão, dificuldade, e ensino de português como Língua estrangeira: uma experiência com o jogo inFluent. In El Kadri, M. S. Et al. Tecnologias digitais no ensino de línguas estrangeiras e na formação de professores: reorganizando sistemas educacionais. Campinas: Pontes Editores.

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da SILVA, R. L. (2018). Video Games: Arte e Cultura. fala aí - UGA Portuguese Program, (2), pp. 2-3. ("Video Games: Art and Culture", Article published on the UGA Portuguese Program Magazine)

 

Work Experience

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Instructional Designer, Carl Vinson Institute of Government

 

- Design of online learning materials, such as interactive presentations and instructional videos;

- Audio and video editing;

- Learning Management System management.

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Teaching Assistant, Games and Learning, with Dr. Nancy Knapp

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- Course planning and management;

- Evaluation and feedback of student discussions.

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Service

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Conference Organization Member, IDD@UGA Conference 2017

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Future Goals:

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- Participate in the organization of a game camp;

- Attend the AECT and AERA conferences, as well as conferences focused on game-based learning, to share my ideas and see what is currently being done in the field;

- Connect with game-based learning specialists;

- Design a qualitative study on teacher development and game-based learning.

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