Research - Lost in the Middle Kingdom
Here are a list of academic publications I am credited in:
Shepherd, J., Doe, R., Arnold, M., Zhu, Y. and Tang, J., “A Different Approach to Teaching Chinese Through Serious Games,” Foundation of Digital Games,Bordeaux,France, 2011.
Shepherd, J., Doe, R., Arnold, M., Cheek, N., Zhu, Y., and Tang, J., “Lost in the Middle Kingdom: A Second Language Acquisition Video Game”, Proceedings of the 49th Annual Southeast Regional Conference,New York,New York, 2011.
Research - Lost in the Middle Kingdom
During my time as a graduate student I lead development on Lost in the Middle Kingdom, a second-language acquisition program that aims to teach the Chinese language. This video game aims to avoid common drawbacks of previous language learning games by utilizing effective game design and multiple language learning methods. Three language learning methodologies are used throughout the game: (1) Second Language Acquisition theory, (2) Content-Based Instruction, and (3) Task-Based Language Teaching.
This game imitates real-world situations, giving the player opportunities to practice the language in realistic situations. Lost in the Middle Kingdom contains a vibrant, immersive 3D environment ready for exploration, an overarching story, fun and intuitive gameplay, as well as cultural elements, to add to the experience. All of these components help build a serious game capable of assisting in the language learning process.
Research - ReefVille
ReefVille (tentative title)
ReefVille is an educational coral reef simulator game that teaches players about coral reefs. Players are presented with an ecosystem where they can add different species of coral reefs and creatures in order to see how they interact with each other. This game is still in the early stages.