Journal of Korean Library and Information Science Society (한국도서관정보학회지)

Korean Library and Information Science Society (한국도서관정보학회)
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An Ethnographic Study on the Digital Literacy Practices of Role-Players in a Massively Multiplayer Online Role-Playing Game

대규모 멀티 플레이어 온라인 롤 플레잉 게임 참여자의 디지털 리터러시 활용 관행에 관한 민족지학적 연구

  • Hollister, Jonathan M. (Department of Library, Archives, & Information Studies at Pusan National University)
  • Received : 2019.11.20
  • Accepted : 2019.12.13
  • Published : 2019.12.30
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Abstract

Various digital literacy and critical competencies are crucial for success in the information and media-rich 21st century game of life. This study explores and describes the digital literacy practices of role-players in WildStar, a science fantasy Massively Multiplayer Online Role Playing Game (MMORPG). Active role-players create and participate in group-driven interactive stories while in-character. A hybrid ethnographic method integrating overt participant observation and engagement, collection of community artifacts across multiple sites (such as wikis, discussion boards, and social media), and semi-structured interviews was employed to understand how role-players seek, use, evaluate, and manage information, media, and technology. Role-players used various media and technologies to supplement, simplify, and make role-playing more immersive. The relative digital literacy skill levels of individuals varied, leading role-players to leverage the skills of more proficient or experienced community members. Given the broad appeal of online games and educational benefits of role-playing, implications and applications for digital literacy skills instruction and library programming are also discussed.

정보와 미디어 집약적인 21세기 게임 환경에서 디지털 리터러시 스킬과 비판적 역량의 활용은 점점 더 중요해지고 있다. 이 연구는 공상 과학 판타지를 주제로 한 대규모 멀티 플레이어 온라인 롤 플레잉 게임 (MMORPG)인 와일드스타(WildStar) 참여자들의 디지털 리터러시 활용 관행에 대해 탐구하고 설명한다. 활동적인 역할 참여자는 게임 내부의 특정한 역할을 가지고, 그룹 중심의 대화형 스토리를 만드는데 적극적으로 참여한다. 역할 참여자가 어떻게 정보, 미디어 및 기술을 찾고, 사용하고, 평가하고, 관리하는지 잘 이해하기 위해, 이 연구는 광범위한 역할 참여자 관찰 데이터, 위키페이지나 토론게시판의 글과 같은 참여자들의 커뮤니티 활동을 보여주는 데이터, 그리고 17 명의 참여자들을 대상으로 한 반구조화 면담 데이터를 통합 분석한 하이브리드 민족지학적 방법을 사용하였다. 참여자들은 다양한 미디어와 기술을 사용하여 롤 플레잉을 보완하고 단순화시키면서, 더욱 몰입적인 롤 플레잉을 만들었다. 개인별 디지털 리터러시 수준은 상대적으로 상이하고, 참여자들은 더 유능하고 경험 많은 커뮤니티 구성원의 기술에 의존하기도 했다. 온라인 게임의 특성과 롤플레잉의 교육적 효과를 고려한 디지털 리터러시 교육과 도서관 프로그램의 영향과 적용 방안에 대해서도 논의하였다.

Keywords

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