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At the Seventh Annual Language Educators Workshop, Dr. Julie Sykes, CASLS’ Director, led a workshop titled "Digital Games in the Language Classroom: A Professional Development Experience." The workshop addressed using digital games and game-like environments as resources for language learning. Participants explored the pedagogy underpinning the use of games, and examined which game-enhanced approaches are compatible with instructed L2 contexts.

The workshop engaged participants in designing their own classroom activities built around digital games to give tangible classroom materials that united both theory and practice to create practical activities that are tailored to each participant’s K-16 context. With a focus on engagement, there was never a dull moment. Dr. Sykes reflected, "It's really exciting to work with amazing teachers looking to innovate in their classroom. I always learn something new." By engaging digital games’ pedagogical relevance, participants are now ready to implement some of what they learned in their own language classrooms.