Drive through ESL
English as a Second Language, Second
Life.
http://www.drive-through-esl.info/
This is a Second Life (virtual)
school for online language learners. It
provides users with tutorials on how to operate in the second life environment
and then gives students options of the kind of classes or tutorials they would
like to be involved with. By first offering tutorials on how to use the
technology the issue of competency for ESL users is removed. Squire (20110 points out that people are
learning content through games regardless of whether they are designed for
education or not. At the very least this
use of Second Life, as a delivery platform, has a curriculum that allows for
progression to be monitored and learning achievements to be recognized. You can ask questions of each other and the
teacher, be part of a group at a time that suits you, practice your English
(reading, pronunciation, grammar, and more).
The first lesson is free to trial and then there is different methods
available to pay for lessons.
This would be a great resource for students to
continue their learning outside of the classroom. The virtual classroom could be use to
supplement lessons, provide a forum for questions to be asked outside of class
time, or as a set of lessons to be completed as part of the face-to-face
curriculum.
Karma Tycoon
http://www.karmatycoon.com/
I can see this game as a way to
encourage conversation with in an Adult ESL classroom. It is a site that encourages participants to
learn about social entrepreneurship, developed by the DoSomething movement. I believe this game would appeal to Adult ESL
learner as it provides
inadvertently provides information about different communities in the US. Again it is a game slightly more focused on
education outcomes and provides a teacher curriculum.
This could be set up as a project
for groups of students to work on together creating a collaborative learning
environment and space for communication using English. At times these groups could come together to
discuss their progress in the game and the choices that they have made. Sometimes the most difficult part of an ESL
lesson is to begin and move along free conversation. I have a strong suspicion discussing such a
game and the actions of individuals or groups in the game would provide a
wealth of material. Squire (2011)
reminds his readers that games are enlivening experiences. They help to wake up
our intellectual curiosity and empower us as learners. The founding aspects of education.
Dumptown
http://www.epa.gov/recyclecity/gameintro.htm
Another game to promote conversation with ESL learners. The aim is to "turn Dumptown into
Greentown". The topic of recycling
and reusing is familiar enough with many cultures and this simple but
thought-provoking game would promote conversations about recycling in different
countries and the students efforts in the game.
It also has other teachable moments with learning all the names of the
town buildings, terminology relating to environment issues, and the budgeting
piece allows for discussion about managing money. I have a strong preference to use a unit
based curriculum founded on my students interests. Thus finding online games which incorporate
their interests would add depth to the vocabulary, grammar, and conversation
skills that are learned.
Reference
Cobb, J. (2008, April 18). Mission to
learn: 26 learning games to change the world [Blog post]. Retrieved from http://www.missiontolearn.com/2008/04/learning-games-for-change/
Drive Through ESL (n.d.).
English as a second language, Second Life. Retrieved from http://www.drive-through-esl.info/.
Karma Tycoon (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.karmatycoon.com/
Squire, K. (2011). Video
games and learning: Teaching and participatory culture in the digital age.
New York, NY: Teachers College Press.
2 comments:
Hi Janet,
I really found your sites interesting. I like the use of the games that engage learners through formats on commonly recognized concepts. Talking about the environment orn possibly starting a business is a great way to get people talking. It provides an opportunity of practice for ESL students. Dump city could possibly be used at the elementary level to reinforce English & grammar lessons for students that speak little English & their parents don't either. Thanks for sharing these.
~Dee
Hi Janet,
I really found your sites interesting. I like the use of the games that engage learners through formats on commonly recognized concepts. Talking about the environment or possibly starting a business is a great way to get people talking. It provides an opportunity of practice for ESL students. Dump city could possibly be used at the elementary level to reinforce English & grammar lessons for students that speak little English & their parents don't either. Thanks for sharing these.
~Deet
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