A Look Back: Can “Gamifying” Writing Instruction For ELLs Work?

A Look Back: Can “Gamifying” Writing Instruction For ELLs Work?

(I’m republishing my best posts from the second half of 2024. You can see the entire list of them here)

 

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A new study just came out highlighting the effectiveness of “gamifying” writing instruction for “upper intermediate” English Language Learners.

The study is titled Game on: enhancing argumentative writing with digital gamification. That links is behind a paywall. However, the authors have placed a link here that says fifty people can access it.

In the study, they had students use an online game called “Argument Arena.” I assume they created it since I can’t find it online. However, it sounds very similar to the online game Franksenstories (see “FRANKENSTORIES” IS A QUIZIZZ/KAHOOT-LIKE GAME FOR WRITING). ADDENDUM: Groovelit is another good option.

I haven’t tried the online game since I’ve just been teaching ELL Newcomers the past few years, and I don’t think it works with that English proficiency level. However, I’d give it a try if I was teaching Intermediates or above, or even English-proficient students.

I have, though, tried teaching writing through games using mini-whiteboards. You can read about those experiences at A LOOK BACK: HOW I TURNED A LESSON ON WRITING GOOD SUMMARIES INTO A GAME – IT WORKED! and at THIS NEW EDUTOPIA VIDEO THAT TURNED WRITING ARGUMENT PARAGRAPHS INTO A GAME HAS GIVEN ME AN IDEA

Have you had any success at “gamifying” writing instruction?

 (I’m republishing my best posts from the second half of 2024. You can see the entire list of them here)     A new study just came out highlighting the effectiveness of “gamifying” writing instruction for “upper intermediate” English Language Learners. The study is titled Game on: enhancing argumentative writing with digital gamification. That links a look back Larry Ferlazzo’s Websites of the Day…

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