Save the date Friday, October 21, 2016 for Teaching Italian IX
Keynote Address: Julie Sykes
Games and Play in Language Learning: Past, Present, and Future
This talk will explore central themes in play and games research as it has been, and can be, applied to the world language classroom. Using examples from data-driven projects, we will explore the power of play in learning, as well as explore ways to use meaningful play to transform learning outcomes.
*Julie M. Sykes (PhD, University of Minnesota) is the Director of the Center for Applied Second Language Studies (CASLS), Co-Director of the UO Chinese Flagship Program, and Resident Scholar at the University of Oregon. Her work focuses on transformational pedagogy with a specific emphasis on the use of digital games and place-based learning to facilitate interlanguage pragmatic development and intercultural competence. Dr. Sykes’ experience includes serving as the principle investigator on multiple grant projects and large program administration. Her research addresses the design, implementation, and evaluation of online immersive spaces and the creation of place-based, augmented-reality mobile games to engage language learners in a variety of non-institutional contexts. She has published numerous articles and books on technology-related topics, including synchronous computer-mediated communication and pragmatic development, digital games and language learning, and lexical acquisition in digitally mediated environments. She currently serves on the editorial board for Language Learning and Technology.