Did you know that our Language Technologist, Todd Bryant, is a scholar in educational gaming. Did you just get turned off because I used the term ‘educational gaming’. Worry not, most of these games are the same ones you want to play, but maybe with a little twist added to them (shhh…you might just learn something while you play).
We have Civ 4 that includes a mod written by Todd which includes a historical simulation of the western world in 1492. This modded version was written for, & played in, Professor Ed Webb’s Empires Course while they researched the Aztec empire. Another mod will be built by students during the Fall ’11 semester in Professor Michael Fratentuano’s Global Economy Course with topics covering resource scarcity, globalization and conflict in world powers and Africa.
We also have a range of contemporary games modded to be played only in foreign languages to achieve language immersion. Some of these include: The Sims 3, Prince of Persia & Mass Effect and others will be added over time. A game called Peacemaker is available that chronicles & analyzes the Israeli/Palestinian conflict and puts you in charge of trying to solve it. You will understand just how complex the issues are the drive the conflict.
Finally, we have 2 console systems in the Media Center. A Japanese Wii & a German Xbox with Kinect are available for check out.
Want to know more? Check out this slick video our student employee Brennan created!
