SUHSD Educators Summer Symposium 2024

Ranging from experimental simulations to the biggest AAA games, the most memorable instruction can be found in digital gaming. How do the best and most classic games effectively guide novices by placing "gates" in the narrative? How can this benefit and create persistence for our ESL learners in computer labs? This demonstration will examine this phenomenon and how this can translate into hybrid and remote learning situations.
Description: The demonstration will start by introducing some ways that classic games teach players how to play the game without explicit instruction. This part will show how Super Mario Bros. teaches the player what they need to know in a safe space (the iconic level “World 1-1). Metroid wordlessly teaches ruleset by gating the player before advancing on. The Bioware title Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic does this in a more sophisticated manner by placing gates on the player through the story. This will be described by using a diagram. The presenter will transition by describing the design of a Burlington English language lab that was launched at Salinas Adult School in 2016. Progress of the adult learners is monitored and gated. This made it easier to create individualized instruction in a hybrid flex (not HyFlex) environment. The presenter will explain how surmounting these gates can be inherently rewarding in the same way in video games.

Target Audience: All Educators