On the afternoon of December10, 2020, Dr. Lawrence May from the University of Auckland was invited to give an online lecture entitled “Learning Through Play: Games and Gamification” via VooV Meeting. Nearly200 teachers and students from the School of Foreign Languages attended the lecture. The lecture was hosted by Associate Professor Mei Bing of Henan University.

Prof. Yang Chaojun, Dean of the School of Foreign Languages, briefly introduced the educational experience and research fields of Dr. May. At the beginning of the lecture, quoting a famous remark from the ancient Greek philosopher Plato, Dr. May asked the first question: Why teach and learn through game play? The combination of learning and interactive entertainment is based on gameplay. Then he mentioned the concept of “digital natives”, that is, young learners born during or after the wide spread adoption of digital technologies. Dr. Lawrence May believes that educational games can solve some of the problems faced by educators, that is, students lack motivation and self-confidence of learning. Compared with traditional teaching, educational strategies that include educational games can make students learn better. Video game play has been associated with the improvement of a range of cognitive skills such as improved creative thinking, problem solving, time management, leadership skills, goal setting, initiative taking, decision making, and persistence in the face of difficult challenges. Then he mentioned the concept of “Gamification”, that is, the application of game mechanics and principles to non-game environments. There are many elements that make a thing playful, such as fiction, autonomy and collective. Finally, he pointed out, in future education, the connection between learning and game play will be more close.

Dr. May’s excellent analysis and explanations of game and gamification impressed the participants deeply. It not only broadened the horizons of the participants, but also provided theoretical and practical reference in innovating teaching methods.

Contribution: School of Foreign Languages