Learning in Video Game Affinity Spaces

Volume 51 in this series examines what video games and their virtual communities of players can tell us about learning and literacy with a focus on James Paul Gee's notion of affinity space, where a shared interest or common goal drives a non-physical community. Accessible and pithy contributions curated by Haves (English, Arizona State U.) and Duncan (learning science, Indiana U.) consider individual games, emerging phenomenon of learning and literacy within the games' online communities, and the meaning of membership within in these spaces. Insights are applied to current educational problems and their promise in reshaping the traditional educational sphere. Annotation c2012 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

Elisabeth R. Hayes is Professor of English at Arizona State University. Her research interests focus on how the social and cultural aspects of online gaming communities support learning, particularly the development of fluency with digital technology. Her recent books include Women and Gaming: The Sims and 21st Century Learning (2010) and Language and Learning in a Digital Age (2011), both co-authored with James Paul Gee.
Sean C. Duncan is the Armstrong Professor of Interactive Media, an Assistant Professor in Miami University's School of Education, Health, and Society and Armstrong Institute for Interactive Media Studies. His current research is focused on understanding the learning and literacy implications of online cultures around games and game design.