Ai, Jingyang ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1030-7255, Cross, Beth and Bignell, Carole (2023) The construction of gamer identity in narratives about video game playing and formal education learning experiences. Research in Learning Technology (RLT), 31:2852. ISSN 2156-7069 (Print), 2156-7077 (Online) (doi:10.25304/rlt.v31.2852)

Preview

PDF (Open Access Article) 52383 AI_The_Construction_Of_Gamer_Identity_In_Narratives_About_Video_Game_Playing_(OA)_2023.pdf - Published Version Available under License Creative Commons Attribution. Download (142kB) | Preview

Abstract

This study investigates how video game play influences gamers’ formal education through perceptions of their ‘gamer’ and ‘learner’ identities. Based on identity foundation in symbolic interactionism, we take gamer and learner identities as meaning structures with both dynamic and stable dimensions. The basis of this gamer identity perspective is identity has a crucial role in investigating learning. Applying a life history approach, we interviewed 10 participants in one-to-one interviews, with three interviews for each participant. Applying the narrative portrait, we analysed participant data. We found that gamer identity construction from video game playing, as a vital meaning structure, has four main aspects, namely in-game identification, social community expansion, restorative effect and meaning recognition, providing gamers with expansive ways to build learner and personal identity as that can benefit their formal education.

Item Type:	Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:	gamer identity, learner identity, life history, video games, narrative
Subjects:	L Education > L Education (General) Q Science > QA Mathematics > QA75 Electronic computers. Computer science Z Bibliography. Library Science. Information Resources > Z665 Library Science. Information Science
Faculty / School / Research Centre / Research Group:	Information & Library Services
Last Modified:	04 Feb 2026 14:22
URI:	https://gala.gre.ac.uk/id/eprint/52383

Actions (login required)

View Item

Downloads