The Design and Implementation of an Educational Computer Game and Its Study as a Motivational Tool for Middle School ESOL Students

Abstract

Over the past three years, Team ILL has designed, created and tested a multiplayer computer game intended to complement middle school English Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) curriculum. Reflecting upon our own language classroom experiences, we wanted to create a game whose entertainment value equaled its educational value, thereby helping us answer our research question ―How effective is our interactive multiplayer computer game as a motivational tool for students?‖ In June 2009, we tested the game in Bates and Annapolis Middle Schools, the two schools in the Anne Arundel County Public School system with the largest ESOL populations. For further understanding of the game‘s potential as an educational tool, we performed a follow-up focus group with ESOL teachers and teachers with an interest in ESOL teaching techniques. Overall, the game was well received by both students and educators and shows potential as a motivating factor in middle school ESOL classrooms.