Hello Mr. Russell,
Ill be completing my ESL certificate this friday, Ive been mulling the video game idea for teaching english for about 2 years now. Im a hardcore gamer, been playing since 89 online.
Ive over 300 PC titles on my shelf, and Ive been boring my freinds and familly for 2 years now telling them how I think an RPG would be a fantastic way to teach English and social interaction to "anyone".
Yesturday I found this book,
What Video Games Have to Teach Us About Learning and Literacy
by James Paul Gee
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/AS...445088-9125524
I devoured it, it blew me away because I felt like I was reading my own thoughts. My girlfreind laughed when I showed her that one of the games was Deus Ex because thats the one Im currently trying to create a Lesson Plan for.
The problem is I only have 20 mins with a group of about 10 Chinese students.
They are all Graduate level at UVA.
Im not sure if Im banging my head against a wall trying to make this work but I think it will blow the professors away when they see what an RPG is all about and how INTERESTED the students are, and then theres retention.
I know 14 year old kids who dont speak any language who have gotten Japanese imports of games and translated the manuals, and games , then posted them on the Internets just because they were MOTIVATED to.
Anyone who doesnt think games are going to be the next major leap in learning have never been to a game forum. People will spend hours asking , teaching others and learning about a game if its one they have passion for.
If you go to GAMEFAQS.COM and look at the walkthroughs for games those were written by GAMERS. For Free.
Keep rocking , and if you have any tips for me Id aprreciate it.
Sorry for the poor post but Im on a cell phone and in a hurry. Catch you later.
Sfumato