Game-based Learning and ELA

When examining the uses of games in an English Language Arts (ELA) classroom, the challenge for quality experiences rises.  The state and local requirements for these classes require students to be reading and writing, and ELA teachers can struggle with how to take advantage of the connection between playing games and learning.  Terry Heick (2012) listed several occasions for an “authentic and compelling role” for video games in the ELA classroom including as entry events to hook interest in a subject.  In section two, several games for ELA classes are discussed complete with images from the game.

          

      In the secondary ELA environment, the games I found seemed to fall within three categories. I will list the games under each category with images and a description.

Literature-Based Games:

Screen Shot from the Game

Lord of the Flies – The game serves as a review and extension of the novel.  According to the site, the players should use the game to refresh their knowledge of the text and hopefully gain new perspectives and questions about the text.  Within the game, players can match characters with quotes and symbols associated with them, discuss major themes of the text, and link symbols to greater meaning in the overall story.  Completion of one task moves the player onto other parts of the island.  While the game is simple enough for younger grades (4^th and up), the book usually is reserved for high school.  Overall, there are many chances for students to try to get things correct, but there is nothing meaty for students to do with the text.  Most of the work is matching, which is very low on Bloom’s.

           

Screen Shot from the Game

Oedipus Tyrranus – The game serves as a review and extension of the play.  Players are to imagine themselves as an audience at the Greek play and then infer why things are happening in front of them based on their knowledge of the play.  As with the game above, this game could be maneuvered by a younger audience, but the play’s use in high school would relegate the game to high school. Also, the lack of images and guidance would make this game frustrating for younger players who may not understand the play well before trying the game.  While considered a “game,” this particular experience feels like a quiz more than a game.  Most of the responses are multiple choice, and while the players receive feedback, there is not much to encourage them to push forward. 

Grammar Games:

The Home Page

Grammar Ninja – This game asks students to apply their knowledge of grammar to keep a ninja studio operating.  Students are shown sentences and asked to identify parts of speech. When players click on a word, the game throws a ninja star at the word.  Players can advance in levels.  Players will also be given a chance to rethrow stars if they choose a wrong word.  I am not a fan of grammar in isolation, so I would not recommend this game.  I think elementary students from about second grade could access the game and practice parts of speech.  The game would seem too easily after about eighth grade. 

 

Grammar of Doom – This game asks students to complete different exercises involving grammar and conventions of speech to advance through different spaces in a creepy castle.  Like with the game above, this game keeps the difficulty level low at first and grows based on the competence of the player.  Players are asked to move a verb through different tenses, find the opposite of words, and complete other tasks while moving through the spaces.  Players are also allowed to retry without too harsh a penalty.  These tasks are set for an older age, and I would put this game at grade levels fourth through tenth.  While I would still not encourage much play of the game, as it is also grammar in isolation, I think the thinking involved in this game was more complex. 

Skills Based Games:

Rhetorical Peaks – This game I used while still in the classroom and teaching both College Rhetoric and honors high school classes.  Developed by the University of Texas, Rhetorical Peaks invites players to investigate a murder in a quiet town full of famous rhetoricians.  The players can interview available characters, view the victim’s diary, and investigate the grounds to a limited extent.  The interview questions are from a question bank, so there are limited choices.  The point of the game is to analyze the rhetoric of the speakers and the journal and use that analysis to arrive at a conclusion.  Much to UT’s credit, no “solution” to the game has been published.  This experience is solely for students to come up with a theory and prove it with evidence.  I felt the honors students in high school could handle the game well, and they enjoyed debating their theories in class.  

If you have seen good ones, especially for the last category, please let me know !!!!