Monday, August 10, 2020

Language Learning MAGEs

One of the great ways that technology can help with language learning is through the use of Mini-Applied Game Environments (MAGEs)! Basically, these are technology tools that provide reusable (randomly generated) resources for games that language educators can then play with their students. Here are several examples:

Adivina - This MAGE is a multipurpose guessing game (similar to Guess Who?). You choose your category (e.g. animals, foods, movie characters, etc.) and how many options you want displayed, and Adivina generates a set of options for you. Secretly pick one of the options, then have your students ask you questions until they can figure out which option you are thinking of. Then you can generate a new set of options!





Where is it? - This MAGE provides a randomly arranged set of images of classroom items. You secretly pick one of the items, then have students ask you questions about its location (e.g. is it above the table?) to try and guess which item you are thinking of.







Maze Master - For this MAGE, have one student at the controls who cannot see the screen. The rest of the class can see they screen. They yell instructions to the player telling them which way to turn, to go, to stop, etc. Their goal is to get the player through the maze. It can be fun to time them and see who can do it the quickest!