Seventh International Conference on Immersion and Dual Language Education

Strand IV: Culture, Identity & Community

Cherokee

Elementary (K-5)

Using paper prototyping techniques, students and digital language learning game designers can more closely collaborate and create games that empower immersion students to critically analyze and improve designs by incorporating culturally relevant material. We created and presented four prototypes of language learning games in Cherokee language to students, teachers, and first-language speakers at the New Kituwah Academy for their input and feedback. We found that this approach to game design allowed students to identify with characters in the stories and their feedback pushed us to incorporate more culturally relevant material. Furthermore, creating paper prototypes does not require technical skills and therefore lowers the barrier to entry in the design process--immersion students can create their own games at home! We will be sharing our process and the valuable feedback from students.