Kinesthetic Communication for Learning in Immersive Worlds

Despite the maturation of the video games medium, most self-identified learning games take the traditional but flawed approach of transmitting fact-based content to the user, frequently through the superimposition of “drill and practice” quizzes on top of interactive game-play that has little inherent relationship to the subject matter. A model is described for a Spanish-learning video game that adopts a different approach, through a close integration of the learning content and the game world context, and through the application of a motion-based controller that provides the user with an innovative and pedagogically potent mechanism for communicating with the learning system. Foundational research is discussed pertaining to kinesthetic learning techniques and their potential for language acquisition. A proof-of-concept is detailed, in which the user demonstrates learning by executing appropriate gestural responses to commands or questions spoken by non-player characters. Language mastery is essential to the user’s success in the immediate game environment, and also to resolving the game’s underlying narrative.