Photo source: http://zondev.educ.msu.edu/WebFront/Default.aspx As I said in the previous post, I hope to find some video game that is primarily designed for education, rather than for entertainment. Now I am very happy to say I found a good one and it’s for my home language - Chinese language learning.
The game head developer says on the Zon website:
Zon is a multiplayer, online learning environment designed to teach Chinese language and culture through gameplay. As a web-based site, Zon provides real-time, on-demand connection to interactive learning activities and authentic cultural information.
I am very glad the designer claimed that Zon is designed based on some language-learning theories, such as “Zon is built on the premise that learning is interactive”. Therefore, Zon player has the chance to interact with NPCs (non-player characters), responsive game agents and other online players.
My favorite part of Zon is that it provides a wonderful simulated culture environment. From the snapshot of the game shown above, you can clearly see how Chinese this game is. Many traditional Chinese events, clothes, and food are included in the game. National Standards for Foreign Language Learning in the 21st Century (1999, p 47-48) declares that “the true content of the foreign language course is not the grammar and the vocabulary of the language, but the cultures expressed through that language”. This advantage of Zon is what The Sims doesn’t have. Many educators recommended using The Sims to learn German, but being immersed in the American culture.
I spent some time exploring this game. At the beginning of the game, I made my own avatar, who is wearing traditional Chinese clothes. Then, I got my own Zon Passport (interesting idea, I think). Next, I entered into Beijing international airport, communicating with banker, police, officer at the information counter, etc, anyone you want to talk with. Also, I can choose to play a variety of mini Chinese games at the game station or walk away there to go to a shopping district in Beijing. How cool it is! I guess many Chinese learners don’t have the chance to go to Beijing for shopping.
Photo source: http://zondev.educ.msu.edu/WebFront/Default.aspx
I didn’t have to chance to explore deeply on this game; however, I know the game will be more and more interesting and engaging as I progress further. The head developer introduced:
When you enter Zon, you start playing at the Tourist level. As you progress through Zon, you can choose to become a Resident – and even a Citizen – of this virtual Chinese world. Before you can progress to Resident and Citizen, however, you must engage in tasks learning about Chinese language, traditions, celebrations and daily life.
Another successful aspect of Zon is that it provides a space for communication not only between players and players/game agents, but also between players and game designers. From here, you can see how the game developer did a good job on inviting players to test and improve the game. If you ask me to evaluate Zon using the criteria we learnt in the previous weeks, I would definitely give an “A+”.
If you are interested in learning the Mandarin Chinese, don’t hesitate!!! Go ahead to Zon registration. Since I will work as a Chinese immersion teacher very soon, I will definitely recommend this game to my principal and other colleagues. I bet they will love it.
And I would like to discuss with my colleagues and YOU about how to design some particular classroom activities to facilitate the implementation of Zon. So excited!!!
References:
Standards for Foreign Language Learning in the 21st Century (1999). National Standards in Foreign Language Education, retrieved on March 26, 2008, from http://www.globalteachinglearning.com/standards/5cs.shtml.
5 comments:
Hey Jiao,
I too cherish our discussions on gaming and simulations to help students of all ages learn. This MMORPG looks interesting because of the cultural aspect it introduces with the games itself. The importance of culture in learning cannot be undervalued.
The grand nature vs. nurture debate continues in psychology as to how children learn at younger ages and the pedagogy of instructing children for each side of the debate carries its own pros and cons. I believe cross-cultural learning is a vital aspect of integrating students from all backgrounds and games such as Zon demonstrate that with thought and creativity any students may learn Chinese language and culture together regardless of ethnic identity.
Hi Jiao,
I'm very glad that you find a video game created for Chinese learning. More and more people start learning Chinese and it will be not surprising to find more games created in this field. I've found a game called "Wulong Academy" this week, which you might have already taken a look. Compared with Zon, I like it much better than "Wulong Academy." There are a lot which needs to be improved in "Wulong Academy" as I discussed. We may do a study to compare the two games. The trend of integrating "fun" in learning langauges provides us with more opportunities in further research.
Hey Jiao,
I played the game for a while. Is there only a demo availabe right now? I like the authentic environment like the airport the game creates, which is very Chinese. Haha.
The game is still in a developing stage. I feel the avatar options are too limited. There should be some clues for the tool bars. For example, when the cursor stops on the bars, it would be helpful to let the gamer know what the bar is about. Can the window be maximized? The stuff seems to be too small.
As you say, I like the cultural elements integrated into the game. I feel the game is created based on the task-based language learning by providing a target langauge situation. I will follow its updates.
Btw, have you found a job? Will you teach Chinese?
Hey Jiao,
The last response is posed by me, Zhuo. I don't know why my name turned to be Joy there.:)
Zhuo
Hi Zhuo,
Thanks for your feedback. You are right, this game is still in the developing stage.
I did find some limitation as well. For example, when I was taking with some NPCs, they used too much English, rather than the target language, which is against the rule of "immersion language environment".
But I am kind of the person who is likely to be excited :) Zon has just pulished to the Market (March, 2008), I believe it will be better and better. I look forward to its update as well.
And yes, I got a job to teach Chinese in a public school. I will start working this fall:)
Jiao
Post a Comment