Monthly Archives: March 2010

10 TEFL Activities for Samorost 2

Here’s a brief description of ten TEFL activities from the site 101 ways (and more) to use Samorost.  All these activities were chosen because they cover a range of levels, location (classroom, connected classroom, computer room and home), language and skills practice.  The links provided direct you to lesson plans, downloadable material and more. 1 [...]

Spotlight on Digital Play Innovators #5 Ralph H. Baer

Clockwise from the top -Magnavoz game console, a light gun, game cartridges, SIMON The Father of Video Games In 2006 Ralph H. Baer was awarded the National Medal of Technology by the President of the United States for his “groundbreaking and pioneering creation, development and commercialisation of interactive video games”.  In fact many believe he [...]

101 TEFL Activities in 1 Online Game

“How many different activities can you do with a single free online game?” The answer to that could be hundreds and to prove it the site below has come up with over a hundred and one TEFL activities with the game Samorost 2.  Is there a guinness book of records entry for this?  Maybe not [...]

Online Alternate Reality Game for Teens

THE GAME Whitesmoke is an online free to play Alternate Reality Game (ARG).  Commissioned by Channel 4 Education and aimed at teens, Whitesmoke hopes to educate by providing a personal taster (through a fictional game) of what it would be like to experience some of the dangers of social networking. WEBSITE SCREENSHOT INTERESTED? Read more [...]

Problem solving game to generate conversation

Here’s a problem solving game that is best played in a connected classroom (i.e. a classroom with a PC/data projector) – it’s even better if you have an interactive whiteboard (iwb) The game is called Crayon Physics Deluxe and a free demo can be downloaded from here: http://www.crayonphysics.com/ You will need to install the game [...]

The Uncanny Valley

An interesting video to use with Advanced class interested in video games

Designing packaging for a Video Game

A speaking activity on the subject of gaming that can be played in a classroom or a computer room. Level: Intermediate Topic: Designing the layout of the packaging of a video game Language Focus: Present simple, adjectives, intensifyers etc Time: 1 hour Preparation 1 In a previous class ask your learners to bring in game [...]

Sci-fi Interactive Reader

Level: Upper intermediate/ Advanced Topic:  Sci -fi Language skill: Reading Game: Morningstar When your spaceship ‘Morningstar’ mysteriously crashes on an alien planet you have to help an injured crew member, escape from the ship, explore a planet to look for supplies to repair your ship and finally take off and get away. Screenshot from ‘Morningstar’ [...]

Drilling Directions

Level: Elementary/ Pre-intermediate Topic: Directions Speaking focus: Turn left, turn right, go up, go down Time: 10 minutes (or as you see fit) Game: Pacman & Orbox Preparation Either play this in a connected classroom and have this game on the board using a projector or IWB or play this in a computer room with [...]

10 Games That Use Extensive Audio

Here’s a brief description of ten games with strong audio elements that require very little preparation and some tips on how to use them.  All these games were chosen because they are free, easily accessible, engaging and fun for English Language Learners. 1  Decorate Do your learners know their furniture vocab?  Have your pre-intermedaite learners practice their [...]