Spring Workshop Registration is Now Open!

From Arcade to Classroom: Transforming Classic Games for Language Education

Sat, March 21   10:00am-2:00pm

Grand Valley State University

Educational games can greatly boost student motivation, especially in complex subjects (Plass, 2023). In this workshop, we share our approach to designing over a hundred HTML-based language-learning games using AI tools like ChatGPT and Firefly. Inspired by classic games such as Pac-Man, Q*bert, and Mario, we developed language-centered versions that reinforce vocabulary, grammar, and cultural knowledge. Each game includes audio and interactive features, with vocabulary tailored to specific lessons, ensuring alignment with course goals.

Our design follows Annetta’s (2010) “I’s” framework—Identity, Immersion, Interactivity, Increasing Complexity, Informed Teaching, and Instructional principles. We also adopted Phillips and Popović’s (2012) learning sciences recommendations, prioritizing continuous in-game assessment and adaptability for diverse learning contexts, such as classroom use and parent-child learning.

This process involves detailed design, iteration, and strategic AI prompting to create effective games. In this workshop, we will guide participants through designing their own language-learning games, illustrating how AI can be a powerful tool for creating custom, curriculum-aligned resources. Attendees will gain strategies for game-based learning tailored to their students' needs, fostering sustainable engagement that extends beyond the classroom.