Welcome back to the new semester! Jeonju-North Jeolla KOTESOL’s first meeting will be on September 12th at our usual 2:45 p.m. in Truth Hall (Jilligwan) room 109 at Jeonju University. Clayton Whittle, from Dankook University, will be presenting on Design and Implementation of Digital Game Based Learning for the ESL Classroom, and is aiming at educators who might otherwise find it intimidating. Our second presentation comes from a local JNJ KOTESOL member, Allison Bill, who will be sharing a variety of Ideas that Work, some fun interactive activities to use with your students in the classroom.
Presentation 1:
Design and Implementation of Digital Game Based Learning for the ESL Classroom
by Clayton Whittle
Language learning games have proven themselves to be exceptionally powerful instructional tools. However, perceived technological, logistical, and design barriers prevent many educator from taking advantage of the great leaps in modern technology.
This presentation begins with the experiences of the researcher in developing and implementing an educational computer game for a college level ESL class using commercially available "freeware". The game was designed to replace traditional workbooks/pen and paper homework assignments. The presentation addresses basics of the game, how it was implemented in the class, student reactions, and difficulties faced during the process.
After examining the example case, the presentation presents a model for educational design in creating digital games for the classroom and several models of implementation. Additionally, the presentation examines several approaches for custom designing games available for educators who might think of themselves as lacking technical skills.
In essence, this presentation is a "crash course" in custom designing and implementing a digital game either in or out of the ESL classroom for educators who might otherwise find the task to be intimidating.
Bio: Clayton Whittle is an Assistant Professor at Dankook University. He earned his M.A. in Telecommunications and Media Study from Texas A&M, where his research focused on understanding lasting educational effects of video games on 'heavy' gamers. Clayton has also worked in the gaming industry for the now defunct Wakefield Studios.
Presentation 2:
What Colour is Your Personality – Ideas that work
by Allison Bill
You already have a textbook for your class, but it's getting boring...
You don't know how to spice it up...
Here are some activities that will get your students talking, such as when they debate whether liking a certain colour makes them aggressive. The activities are a break from the book, and they are ready for you to take into your classroom on Monday morning.
They can be adapted to match students of almost any age or ability level. The students have fun with them, and so do I.
Be prepared to participate in partner and group work in this workshop. What colour is YOUR personality?
Bio: Allison Bill started her own second language learning at the age of 5. She completed her B.Ed. in Elementary French Education at the University of Ottawa, and her M.A. TESL/TEFL at St. Michael’s College in Vermont. She is currently in the dissertation stage of an Ed.D. at Anaheim University. Allison has taught FSL in Canada, and EFL in France and South Korea. Allison is a native of Ottawa, Canada. She has lived in Korea since 2000, and teaches at Jeonju University.
