Digital Play

By kylemawer 　http://www.digitalplay.info/blog/2010/05/07/10-online-videos-to-watch/

Here’s a brief description of ten online videos for teachers of foreign languages to watch.  All these videos were chosen because they are free, easily accessible, engaging and informative to teachers of a foreign language.

1 The Sims teach German

The sims is one of the most commercially successful PC games, notable because of its popularity with female gamers.  This video referrences German language learning but is recorded in English and so is great for TEFL teachers to get some good ideas.

2 How to learn languages online by playing video games

Tutorial by gamer on how he sees languages can be learnt by playing video games.

3 A productive approach to video games, learning and school

Lecture by James Paul Gee on the educational implications of video games as a productive activity for schools.

4 Grand Theft Childhood

Most of us assume violent video games can negatively affect children and their behavior. After a multi-year, multi-million dollar study, Dr. Cheryl K. Olson, Sc.D. Co-Director for The Center for Mental Health and Media at Massachusetts General Hospital Department of Psychiatry speaks about the findings.

5 Manny Calavera teaches Spanish!

Overview of how adventure video games can be modified to be used in foreign language education. Demonstrates an example mixing the Spanish version of the game “Grim Fandango.

6 Pay attention

Since most of today’s students can appropriately be labeled as “Digital Learners”, why do so many teachers refuse to enter the digital age with their teaching practices. This presentation uses images and facts to convince us to enter the digital age.

7 36 Principles of learning

James Paul Gee identifyied thirty-six learning principles that are evident in the design of good video games. He also argues for the application of these principles in the classroom and here is a video from the classroom in support of this.

8 Rezzworld

A 3D video game based on task based learning that is principally aimed at native American languages.

9 Practice foreign languages in Second Life

A look at the virtual world of Second Life and how it can be used to practice foreign languages.  Second life allows you to message other avatars by text or talk to them via a microphone and headphones.

10 Video games and learning

Already covered on this blog (link above) but well worth a second look.   This video looks at the development of video games.