Online game-based learning has risen in popularity recently, but there is still some debate about how effective it is as a learning tool. Our latest tip, with David Gatrell, explores this area and demonstrates how it can provide opportunities for language learning and motivation.

If this video is unavailable for viewing in your location, please click here

 

Comments

Submitted by davidgatrell on Mon, 10/19/2015 - 07:58

Thanks everyone for your interest in this video and in digital game-based learning! If you'd like to find out more about digital games and language learning, I now have a new and improved website called Digital Alternatives. It features a growing number of lesson plans and practical classroom ideas: http://digitalalternatives.wordpress.com Cheers, Dave

hi david, thanks for this video its really interesting. i need help with this linkhttp://digitalalternatives.wordpress.com/ , it seems its not available any more. can you provide me with alternative one?. i'll appreciate it a lot.

Submitted by Cath McLellan on Tue, 04/12/2016 - 13:11

In reply to by raneem92

Thanks for your comment - I've just tried to access the page from the link and it works fine here - have you tried again recently? Thanks, Cath TE Team

Submitted by davidgatrell on Mon, 11/25/2013 - 16:36

Sadly, The Curfew - the game featured in this video - is no longer available online. If you'd like to find out about other digital game-based activities that you can use in your primary or secondary classroom, please visit http://bchongkong.wordpress.com. Thanks a lot David

Submitted by Paul Braddock on Wed, 11/27/2013 - 08:25

In reply to by davidgatrell

Hi David - thanks for the update. The link you sent looks good and has lots of great ideas for teachers! Paul

Submitted by caroadarve on Sat, 09/14/2013 - 06:00

can someone tell me how can i get this kind of games?

Submitted by davidgatrell on Sun, 09/15/2013 - 03:57

In reply to by caroadarve

Hi Victoria and Caro The Curfew is a free online game and you can find it here: http://www.thecurfewgame.com/ If you'd like to see the resources I developed for using it in the ELT classroom, please go to http://bchongkong.wordpress.com/2012/12/17/the-curfew/ where you can download and adapt them for the students you teach. Thanks a lot David

Submitted by yasmein on Wed, 07/31/2013 - 00:31

This is a type of game based e-learning programs to improve skills and Motivates students to learn Immerses them in the material so they learn more effectively Encourages them to learn from their mistakes. Making learning fun motivates students and helps them pay attention and stay focused on the subject. These games are to encourage students to learn outside of class. And allow students to focus well enough to learn better. improves the learning performance of children.

Submitted by davidgatrell on Sun, 09/15/2013 - 04:25

In reply to by yasmein

Hi Peter and Yasmein Thanks for your comments. As you can see, I believe digital games can be both collaborative and motivating - and, as you say, Yasmein, they get students to think about how they learn. However, as with any authentic materials, digital games can't do this by themselves - we need to not only choose the right kinds of games, but also design appropriate tasks for the students we teach and think about how they will achieve the aims of the lesson. One example for younger learners is Samorost - it has zero language content, but we can build tasks around it to get students practising grammar and vocabulary, developing all four skills and using "twenty-first century" skills like creativity and collaboration. There are some more ideas about this and a student worksheet on my blog: http://bchongkong.wordpress.com/2012/12/03/samorost/ Best David

Submitted by Peter Panda on Mon, 07/29/2013 - 19:39

For sure, it is a new collaborative way to teach English, especially for this generation.

Research and insight

Browse fascinating case studies, research papers, publications and books by researchers and ELT experts from around the world.

See our publications, research and insight