Ravi Purushotma at MIT is interested in how learning can foster learning and help dispel global barriers. In a recent paper in Language Learning and Technology, Purushotma discusses how games originally designed for entertainment purposes can be modified to provide natural and context rich language learning environments, without sacrificing its entertainment value. Purushotma’s study takes a game like the Sims and turns it into a valuable teaching environment. His findings suggest that the game does a better job of teaching vocabulary and grammar than traditional methods, partly because of teaching things in context. The actions of each Sims character, the dialogue, and how they interact with their world often helps makes the meanings clear. For example, if a player did not really understand what “energie” meant, the actions of a tired Sim, stumbling then falling asleep, would help illustrate the meaning.
As more teachers and researchers find themselves using off-the-shelf entertainment to see if they can provide engaging, interactive education, hopefully commercial game developers will start to make customization options more flexible.