CURRENT STATUS
Most mobile phones today are smartphones that offer an immense range of multimedia potentials (Cavus & Ibrahim, 2017). In the last decade, more game genres have emerged reaching more diverse audiences, entering at many levels. Notably, the majority of mobile gamers are not the expected hardcore gamers, but casual ones.
Here are some recent insights about mobile games:
Notice where 'educational games' stand.
(source: Udonis.blog, 2021)
(source: Udonis.blog, 2021)
Notice where 'educational games' stand.
01
In 2020, mobile games accounted for 66% of the App Store's revenue share.
02
More than 50% of mobile gamers are older than 34.
03
There were a total of 80 billion mobile game downloads in 2020.
What do ELL games on mobiles look like?
The current Game-Based Learning (GBL) mobile apps teach ELL learners linguistic features through social constructivism and discourse. Most Mobile Assisted Language Learning (MALL) games available are still basic and take the form of quizzes and revisions which are gamified by adding elements such as coin collection or losing lives. Rarely do we find games that have a sophisticated plot, main characters, or learning through full participation or immersive play.
"Mobile or web games are not as comprehensive as commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) adventure-entertainment games widely played by the youth in terms of form, technical and linguistic content."
(Alyaz & Genc, 2016)
The majority of language learning apps use microlearning techniques and a degree of adaptive AI to break conventional learning methods. Many of the ELL mobile games are digital versions of common games well-known in the ELL community. Examples of these games are Hangman, categories, scrabble, 20 questions, and crosswords.
However, some ELL mobile games are original and use features that motivate learners to spend more time and effort practicing and reinforcing targeted skills. These features include: inviting Facebook friends, competing against real-life players around the world, engaging in synchronous gaming, sending notifications, beating the time count, and using hints and powerups. Examples of these games are 4 Pics 1 Word, Words with Friends, WordUp, MindSnacks, and Wordscape.
Common Objectives in ELL games (clickables)
What makes a good ELL mobile game?
In here article "Smartphone Apps for ESL: Finding the Wheat Amidst the Chaff," Julie Zilber (2013) discusses some of the key features that ELL mobile games should include.
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Discussion
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