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ABOUT THE PROJECT
ABOUT THE PROJECT
In 2023, while watching my partner play a video game, I came up with an idea for a new learning project.
In 2023, while watching my partner play a video game, I came up with an idea for a new learning project.
The game he was playing was about creating a world: building houses, finding food, forming a community, working, earning money, and so on.
The game he was playing was about creating a world: building houses, finding food, forming a community, working, earning money, and so on.
That’s when I thought it could be a great idea to create something similar for my Italian language learners — a world where, instead of virtual money, users earn new words.
That’s when I thought it could be a great idea to create something similar for my Italian language learners — a world where, instead of virtual money, users earn new words.
My idea was to design an unlockable map for beginner students who are learning Italian for holiday purposes.
My idea was to design an unlockable map for beginner students who are learning Italian for holiday purposes.
THE PROCESS
THE PROCESS
In general, when language students go on holiday, they need to learn how to manage the language in those specific geographical contexts. That’s why the idea of a city map would work perfectly for them.
In general, when language students go on holiday, they need to learn how to manage the language in those specific geographical contexts. That’s why the idea of a city map would work perfectly for them.
The most common tourist places in a city are bars, restaurants, hotels, museums, train stations, and airports. The idea was to unlock these “places” while progressing.
The most common tourist places in a city are bars, restaurants, hotels, museums, train stations, and airports. The idea was to unlock these “places” while progressing.
For each place, while building their own world, the users would learn useful words and phrases for that particular situation. To move from one level to another, they would need to complete different language quizzes and games. Thanks to these, they might obtain new tools to keep building their city.
For each place, while building their own world, the users would learn useful words and phrases for that particular situation. To move from one level to another, they would need to complete different language quizzes and games. Thanks to these, they might obtain new tools to keep building their city.
I sketched the map and realised both how exciting the idea was and how complex it would be to develop. Therefore, I had to put it aside, as I didn’t have the budget or a team to help me bring it to life.
I sketched the map and realised both how exciting the idea was and how complex it would be to develop. Therefore, I had to put it aside, as I didn’t have the budget or a team to help me bring it to life.
Whether it became a website, a video game, or an app, the level of complexity was high.
Whether it became a website, a video game, or an app, the level of complexity was high.
What I did manage to do was storyboard just a few chapters or “places of the city” and create some microlearning experiences to test with potential learners during face-to-face lessons.
What I did manage to do was storyboard just a few chapters or “places of the city” and create some microlearning experiences to test with potential learners during face-to-face lessons.
THE RESULT
THE RESULT
After I started testing it, I immediately realised that the level of engagement increased.
After I started testing it, I immediately realised that the level of engagement increased.
For my students, it was fun to visualise themselves in a city. The goal of the learning process was very clear and easy to follow.
For my students, it was fun to visualise themselves in a city. The goal of the learning process was very clear and easy to follow.
SOME FEEDBACK
SOME FEEDBACK
Some of the students I tested the project with went to Italy a few weeks after we started. They were able to put into practice straight away what they had learned during the face-to-face lessons in the “city.”
Some of the students I tested the project with went to Italy a few weeks after we started. They were able to put into practice straight away what they had learned during the face-to-face lessons in the “city.”
ALEXA
ALEXA
I was able to communicate well in restaurants and bars.
I was able to communicate well in restaurants and bars.
OLIVIA
OLIVIA
I was able to use it at the hotel, ordering breakfast and coffee, and for directions at the train station.
I was able to use it at the hotel, ordering breakfast and coffee, and for directions at the train station.
DETAILS
- Type: Educational Game Concept
- Client: Fun Italian Journey
- Date: 2023 /2024
TOOLS
- Google Sheets
- Canva
- Genially
SKILLS
- Instructional design
- Storyboarding & prototyping
- Gamification
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