從線上遊戲應用於英語教室來探討心流之現象

A Study of Flow in EFL Classrooms through Free Online Games

Csikszentmihalyi提出的心流理論是瞭解學習動機的新方式。如果語言學習也能產生這種心流經驗，使學習成為一種「最優經驗（optimal experience）」，引起學習者的動機，沈浸於學習中，提高學習成效。本研究利用四種不同的線上遊戲，讓學生從遊戲中學習英語，以調查學生的心流狀態，主要的發現有：（1）過關說明清楚的免費線上遊戲可以引起學生英語學習的動機，並且產生心流經驗。（2）免費的線上遊戲提供英語學習的另一扇門，但是MOO則必須特別說明與訓練，學生才可能使用。（3）挑戰與技巧的平衡是學生體驗心流與否的重要關鍵，提供選取遊戲的重要參考。目前，對於遊戲與心流理論實際應用於英語教學的研究並不多，本研究做了這方面的嘗試，提出心得與建議，希望對遊戲應用於英語教學有所貢獻。

The flow theory is a new way of understanding motivation, first proposed by Csikszentmihalyi. If language learning can produce such flow experience, learning would become optimal experience, which is a heightened level of motivated task engagement, leading to improved performance on a task. Through the investigation of students' perception of flow in playing four different online computer games, the study finds that: 1) Free online games with clear walkthrough steps can motivate EFL students, and flow occurs in the EFL classroom; 2) Free online games offer a potential for language learning although MOO [Multi-User Domain, Object Oriented] may need more orientation because of its pure text interface; 3) The balance between challenge and skills plays an important role in students' perception of flow. Since there is not much research on flow in EFL classrooms, this study provides one application of flow theory in an EFL context, and advocates the use of computer games in English learning.