Comments on: Videogames as language classes http://ryan.freebern.org/2006/01/07/videogames-as-language-classes design.ui.technology.art.interaction.writing.creativity.politics.environment.family Thu, 04 Dec 2008 05:19:50 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5.1 By: rfreebern http://ryan.freebern.org/2006/01/07/videogames-as-language-classes#comment-522 rfreebern Sun, 23 Apr 2006 19:00:46 +0000 http://ryan.freebern.org/2006/01/07/videogames-as-language-classes#comment-522 Jota, That sounds like the current style of educational game, which is largely "take a game, and stick some educational stuff into it." I don't think this works, since doing multiplication in order to shoot alien spaceships is only marginally more fun than doing multiplication on its own, for a kid. The stuff I'm envisioning doesn't make the learning a blatant part of the gameplay, but rather tries to sneak it in. With four chickens on the screen, the game could say "You have quattro polli. How many do you want to sell? Un pollo, due polli, tre polli, quattro polli." Even little kids would quickly pick up on the various meanings of the Italian words, and it would hardly distract from what was actually occurring in the game. Jota,
That sounds like the current style of educational game, which is largely “take a game, and stick some educational stuff into it.” I don’t think this works, since doing multiplication in order to shoot alien spaceships is only marginally more fun than doing multiplication on its own, for a kid.

The stuff I’m envisioning doesn’t make the learning a blatant part of the gameplay, but rather tries to sneak it in. With four chickens on the screen, the game could say “You have quattro polli. How many do you want to sell? Un pollo, due polli, tre polli, quattro polli.” Even little kids would quickly pick up on the various meanings of the Italian words, and it would hardly distract from what was actually occurring in the game.

]]> By: Jota http://ryan.freebern.org/2006/01/07/videogames-as-language-classes#comment-520 Jota Sun, 23 Apr 2006 16:46:21 +0000 http://ryan.freebern.org/2006/01/07/videogames-as-language-classes#comment-520 This isn't quite the same kind of game that you're speaking of, but I'm reminded of <a href="http://lrnj.com/" rel="nofollow">Slime Forest</a>. It's a CRPG that (like most CRPG's) is largely about wandering around slaying monsters. But instead of just clicking the "attack" button over and over again, you deal damage by identifying and translating Japanese characters. This isn’t quite the same kind of game that you’re speaking of, but I’m reminded of Slime Forest. It’s a CRPG that (like most CRPG’s) is largely about wandering around slaying monsters. But instead of just clicking the “attack” button over and over again, you deal damage by identifying and translating Japanese characters.

]]> By: rfreebern http://ryan.freebern.org/2006/01/07/videogames-as-language-classes#comment-494 rfreebern Tue, 21 Feb 2006 17:36:05 +0000 http://ryan.freebern.org/2006/01/07/videogames-as-language-classes#comment-494 Miguel, Unfortunately, I don't know any games that are useful like this. I hope someone makes some, though. Miguel,
Unfortunately, I don’t know any games that are useful like this. I hope someone makes some, though.

]]> By: Miguel http://ryan.freebern.org/2006/01/07/videogames-as-language-classes#comment-493 Miguel Tue, 21 Feb 2006 16:41:30 +0000 http://ryan.freebern.org/2006/01/07/videogames-as-language-classes#comment-493 can you tell me what types of videogames and consoles are useful for a language class? can you tell me what types of videogames and consoles are useful for a language class?

]]> By: Meg Freebern http://ryan.freebern.org/2006/01/07/videogames-as-language-classes#comment-439 Meg Freebern Mon, 09 Jan 2006 16:44:40 +0000 http://ryan.freebern.org/2006/01/07/videogames-as-language-classes#comment-439 An uncharacteristic thing is happening to me: I want to play a computer game. Crazy! I was thoroughly absorbed in Myst III: Exile when my laptop was stolen about four years ago and hence my game lost. I was also somewhat enjoying Legacy of Time. Except for playing Sims for an hour on your laptop at Christmas, I haven't played anything since. I am looking for a recommendation, something I can get lost in. I would enjoy another puzzle, but nothing where I have to shoot anybody. What's out there that is good? An uncharacteristic thing is happening to me: I want to play a computer game. Crazy! I was thoroughly absorbed in Myst III: Exile when my laptop was stolen about four years ago and hence my game lost. I was also somewhat enjoying Legacy of Time. Except for playing Sims for an hour on your laptop at Christmas, I haven’t played anything since. I am looking for a recommendation, something I can get lost in. I would enjoy another puzzle, but nothing where I have to shoot anybody. What’s out there that is good?

]]>