I don’t know anyone in High school who is using the new SAT game however a good friend of mine is very adroit in language education so I thought I would ask her a few questions about Nintendo and its new educational programs. I decided to try and focus my Travelogue 3 on Nintendo and how they are trying to revolutionize education.
I interviewed a friend who is currently a foreign language major at Brooklyn College. She is fluent in English, French, Spanish and Dutch. I interviewed her because she taught herself Dutch and is currently learning Mandarin and German. Since she has used so many different forms of language learning I figured she may know a thing or two on the effectiveness on Nintendo’s “My Chinese Coach”.
First, tell me how you have been using “My Chinese Coach”?
I’m using it as a supplement to other forms of instruction such as books, because it enables me to put what I’ve learned into practice and assess my improvement in the language.
You normally use Berlitz or Lonely Planet for your language studies how do you find this more beneficial?
I find this more beneficial because you are actually able to hear the words pronounced instead of having to follow a pronunciation guide. Also the coach comes with quizzes and activities so you’re able to test your knowledge when native speakers are not available.
What about dictionary options? When you forget a word or need to look one up can you use the system?
Yes it’s very convenient that there is a built in dictionary and phrasebook
Now would you find it more useful then say…your Chinese textbook?
Yes, it’s very user friendly, and it has the added advantage of audio clips that can help improve your pronunciation. It’s also more useful in helping you perfect your character writing. However, nothing can replace the textbook’s explanations of grammar. with the coach the goal is to introduce you to the language quickly so you can improve your listening skills and oral communication. However the emphasis the textbook places on grammar and sentence structure is more useful for improving writing skills, and achieving a higher level of language proficiency.
How would you recommend schools utilize this new medium of technology to improve language programs?
I would recommend that schools use this to supplement traditional methods of learning, such as textbooks. The coach is excellent for reinforcing and even for review. It also presents students with the opportunity to practice their speaking skills so they can gain more confidence and hopefully begin to practice with native speakers, and use the language more often in the classroom.
My Chinese Coach
So Nintendo is really doing a fantastic job of bringing education into their video games. In the UK Nintendo’s Brain Training (which was released in 2006) is STILL in the UK software top 10, showing how new educational games are becoming a fad and hopefully actually making us smarter! Nintendo is working on innovative ways to make the teacher’s jobs easier. In addition to their new “young adult” targeted games they are releasing games to help get the younger generation involved as well (and start young!) Their new game, “Pokémon Learning League”, is supposed to help primary school students. The game could help students who are having trouble (with math, possible multiplication problems?) or to help students excel. By using characters they are familiar with and look up to, they will find the game more engaging then say…a textbook. They are also releasing new technology called “King Code”, which is suppose to help nurture children’s curiosity by giving suggestions when a child is having trouble answering questions.
That being said, I did send some interview questions to the creators of the new education games Ubisoft and hopefully they too will answer my questions before the end of the Travelogue.
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4 Comments
WOw I didn’t know that nintendo’s DS offered language tutorial games. And i consider myself a pretty avid gamer, although my experience has mostly been limited to xbox360 and ps3. Although I think it’s a good way to supplement a formal education, something makes me doubt it can be a standalone way to learn another language, especially one as complicated as Chinese.
This is awesome. I like that you did it in interview format. Cool way to do a Travelogue.
The trouble with this and other educational technology is that you run the risk of widening the education gap between classes. Public schools in cities aren’t going to be able to afford Nintendo DS, whereas some suburban schools might. Your friend suggests the game be used as a supplement to language textbooks, but many public schools can’t even afford textbooks for every student. I guess it just takes time for things like this to enter into the mainstream before they can become affordable alternatives for lower to middle class public schools.
This is really interesting! I have the worst time learning languages and have thus put off taking my nyu language requirements till pretty much now. As a student who is still having issues I would really like to see how this nintendo program could help me.
Apart from being inept at learning spanish, another reason why I am so intrigued with this travelogue is that I have always seen nintendo and other gaming systems as time drainers so to have them come up with learning programs changes my view.
This is really interesting. It would be ideal to entirely trick gaming kids into playing only educational games, but I guess we’ll have to settle for some sort of an integration into a traditional curriculum. Language is such a hands on learning process that this seems like a typical evolution from those tapes that you repeat what they say while you drive to work. I was skeptical as to whether any gamer would actually replace this with their usual guns and gore, but I guess I’m ok with the idea of a new gamer who uses this technology and the statistics back up that someone is using it.
have you seen the commercial with Lisa Kudrow that she uses a gadget like this to cook? It reads her the recipe as she makes chicken with a little girl. Is it the same thing?