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Join us online (registration required) for the College of Information Science Colloquium Series, featuring Jonathan S. Reinhardt, Professor of English and Second Language Acquisition and Teaching.
Millions of people around the world learn languages like English by playing digital games, both purposefully and incidentally. Observing these practices, researchers in the field of digital game-based language learning and teaching (DGBLLT) seek implications on how to engage, immerse, motivate and teach learners formally. Researchers ask how people learn languages by playing digital games, whether educational or entertainment-purposed, and which game designs and gameplay contexts are most effective, and why. Research has found that certain design features and mechanics can be associated with language use—and thus learning—affordances, but that contextual variables matters, implicating thoughtful educational game design. As long as designers avoid non-immersive "chocolate-covered broccoli" and "playing in order to learn" rather than "learning in order to play" thinking, educational games can be effective and engaging learning experiences. This talk will outline the field of DGBLLT, focusing on the implications of research for educational game designers.
About Jonathan S. Reinhardt
Dr. Jonathon S. Reinhardt is professor of English and second language acquisition and teaching at the University of Arizona and is the current president of CALICO, the Computer-Assisted Language Instructional Consortium. His research focuses on computer-assisted language learning and pedagogy, especially with popular technologies like social media and digital games. He the author of over 50 articles and book chapters, including his 2019 book published by Palgrave, Gameful Second and Foreign Language Teaching and Learning: Theory, Research, and Practice. He consults on educational game development and has been invited to speak on DGBLLT in over a dozen countries.
Header image courtesy Adobe Stock.