Game-Based Learningfor ELLs

Judie HaynesNJTESOL/NJBE

Spring Conference 2016

What is Game Based Learning?

• Game based learning (GBL) is a type of game play that has defined learning outcomes.

• Ideally, game-based learning is designed to balance content area learning with gameplay

What GBL Is Not

• GBL is not simply using games in the classroom.

• It is about making a rigorous environment where multiple games and challenges are used to explore concepts and learning targets in depth.

Teacher Share

GBL combines games with content. Discuss what types of GBL that you have used with your class with a partner or triad. Games doesn’t have to be electronic.

Today’s Games Are:

• User-created content (i.e. Sim City, Mindcraft)

• Multiplayer• Collaborative• Involve virtual reality• Role-playing

What Should Games Do?

Games • deliver content information• can be used as jumping points for

discussions• Serve as gateways for ELLs to learn about

technology

Games Allow ELLs to:

• take on different identities and learn other points of view

• critique ideology behind game• document the learning process and reflect

on it• design a game or a virtual reality

How Games Help ELLs

GBL does the following• Engages students in the content

instruction• gives them an inspiration and a context for

collaborating and communicating. • Game players exhibit persistence, risk-

taking, attention of detail and problem-solving

What to Look For in a Game

• The game should not be inappropriate in any way for learners of their age.

• Many games are free. Don’t always go for the free games

• It must work on the devices available to the class (school-owned equipment or BYOD).

Articles About Helping ELLs Learn Content

• 25 STEM Education Apps you need in 2015 http://blog.iat.com/2014/12/29/25-stem-education-apps-you-need-in-2015/

• Game-based learning units for the everyday teacher

http://www.edutopia.org/blog/video-game-model-unit-andrew-miller

Literacy Apps for ELLs

• Mindsnacks  is a language-learning app that provides vocabulary games for K-12 ELLs. https://www.mindsnacks.com/subjects/

• Write About This is an app that is a good resource for Gr. 2-5 ELLs. https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/write-about-this/id601375313?mt=8

Benefits of Minecraft

• Makes learning fun• gives students the freedom to create.

Teachers can give the students parameters and have them research an historical setting that they want their students to explore.

 

Benefits of Minecraft

• develops problem solving and higher level thinking skills. Teachers can ask students – What problem will your characters face? How will they solve it?

• help students collaborate on projects such as survival skills

Benefits of Minecraft

Minecraft helps students: • develop characters, solve problems, and

develop higher level thinking skills.  • collaborate on projects and develop team-

building skills. • develop the concept of digital citizenship.

Minecraft for K-5 ELLs

Use Minecraft to Teach Math https://www.iste.org/explore/articleDetail?articleid=558 is an excellent article written by a 3rd grade teacher who used Minecraft to boost his classes math scores.

STEM Apps

• Sid’s Science Fair is based on the PBS show that teaches core science and math concepts to children ages 4-6. https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/sids-science-fair/id462788044?mt=8&

• Hopscotch teaches children in Gr 4–6 core coding concepts. http://www.gethopscotch.com/

STEM Apps

• Matholicious is real-world based math that is interactive & CCSS aligned. http://www.mathalicious.com/

• NASA Visualization Explorer is a high- rated exploration of our solar system. It’s a necessary tool for talking about the solar system, space exploration, and global climate shift. http://svs.gsfc.nasa.gov/nasaviz/

STEM Apps

• Dragonbox makes a number of award winning math apps for children in grades k-8. http://dragonbox.com/

• Universe Sandbox is a simulation of the universe helping students to learn about science, math, and astronomy. http://blog.tesol.org/game-based-learning-and-pre-k-5-english-learners/#sthash.DbJy0Njl.dpuf

• http://www.teachthought.com/apps-2/game-based-learning-apps-universe-sandbox/

•

Democracy

• This is government simulation game. Intermediate or advanced ELL is the president or prime minister of a democratic government.

• Students introduces policies in seven areas—tax, economy, welfare, foreign policy, transport, law and order, and public services http://www.positech.co.uk/democracy3/

Teacher Share

Discuss with a partner how you could incorporate GBL into your content area instruction.

My TESOL Blogs

Game-based learning and Pre-K-5 English learnershttp://blog.tesol.org/game-based-learning-and-pre-k-5-english-learners/11 Apps to build literacy for elementary Elshttp://blog.tesol.org/11-apps-to-build-literacy-for-elementary-els/