Location-Based Mobile Games for Language Education

1. Location-Based Mobile Gamesfor Language Education Sara Armengot (seagsl@rit.edu) and Godys Armengot Mejía (gaagsl@rit.edu) Department of Modern Languages and Cultures Rochester Institute of Technology

2. What are location-based mobile games? “[C]reativenew games that are facilitated by mobile devices in such a way that the game activity evolves according to players’ location.” (Avouris & Yiannoutsou) “Some of these mobile games transcend place and time and can be played in many diverse places and extend to long periods of time (a term used in this case is pervasive games), while others are designed to be event based, i.e. to be played in specific places at specific times, like during visits in museums and other non-traditional game venues.” (Avouris &Yiannoutsou) Avouris N., Yiannoutsou, N., (2012). A review of mobile location-based games for learning across physical and virtual spaces, Journal of Universal Computer Science, vol 18,(15), pp. 2120-2142.

3. What are some Examples of Location-Based Games? • Geozate(Spanish) • Tod an der Mauer (German) • Ingress (interface in English; players from around the world communicate in the language(s) of their choice)

5. Smart Blogs. 10 May 2013. Retrieved from http://www.smartblog.es/2013/05/geozate-primer-juego-de-geolocalizacion-en-tiempo-real-para-smartphones/

9. Ingress is a Massive Multiplayer Online Game by NianticLabs@Google. For age 13 and older (in the U.S.)

10. Although the game interface is in English, players can communicate in any language including Japanese and Chinese. • There are many videos including tutorials and news reports about Ingress available in LOTE. • To play this game, you must accept Google’s Privacy Policy. The device location will be shared publicly with other users through the game along with your submitted screen name (your code name). Minimum age requirements to own a Google Account: • United States: 13 or older • Spain: 14 or older • South Korea: 14 or older • Netherlands: 16 or older • All other countries: 13 or older Image source: esingress.blogspot.com

11. How can playing and making Location-Based games Support ACTFL standards? • Communication: Interpersonal, Interpretive and Presentational • Cultures: Relating Cultural Practices and Products to Perspectives • Connections: Making Connections, Acquiring Information and Diverse Perspectives • Comparisons: Making Language and Cultural Comparisons • Communities: Interact and Collaborate with School and Global Communities while Becoming Lifelong Learners “World Readiness Standards for Learning Languages” actfl.org

12. What about 21stCentury Skills? • Learning and Innovation Skills • Creativity and Innovation • Critical Thinking and Problem Solving • Communication and Collaboration • Information, Media and Technology Skills • Information Literacy • Media Literacy • Information, Communications and Technology Literacy • Life and Career Skills • Flexibility and Adaptability • Initiative and Self-Direction • Social and Cross-Cultural Skills • Productivity and Accountability • Leadership and Responsibility From “Framework for 21st Century Learning” www.P21.org

13. ISTE (International Society for TechNology in Education) • Creativity and innovation • Communication and collaboration • Research and information fluency • Critical thinking, problem solving, and decision making • Digital citizenship • Technology operations and concepts From “ISTE Standards Students” iste.org/standards

14. How can my Students and I make our own games? • Start with your game idea and learning goals. Keep these at the forefront throughout the process. Consider using TaleBlazer’s Game Worksheet or create your own. • Select a web-based platform. For example: • ARIS (University of Wisconsin Madison) • Taleblazer (Massachusetts Institute of Technology) • Edit your game on a computer (not your mobile device). You must be connected to the internet to edit your games. Save your work often. • Involve students in the design and testing process whenever possible. Making as well as playing the games can be a collaborative effort.

15. What platform should I Choose? • ARIS- University of Wisconsin Madison Note: ARIS games only work on iOS devices (iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad) • Taleblazer- Massachusetts Institute of Technology Note: Taleblazer games will work on both iOS and Android. To get started, email support@taleblazer.org for the secret word. Next, go to http://taleblazer.org, select login and fill out the signup section. • Others?

16. Encuentros in the TaleBlazer editor