Antecedents of Collaborative Learning in Massively Multiplayer Online Games

Massively Multiplayer Online Games (MMOGs) are rich in goaloriented activities and collaborative and social interactions, both essential for learning the game and progressing. In this chapter we employ a theoretical framework for linking learning and collaborative learning principles with MMOGs and investigate, through an exploratory and qualitative approach, features of the tasks, groups, and player interactions that may support the emergence of collaborative interactions and learning. The critical role of both the design of the environment and of the community of players is highlighted and it is concluded that their balanced inter-connection is critical for the emergence of effective collaborative interactions. Implications on further research are also discussed.