Reuters Japan reported yesterday that a Japanese girls middle school has begun utilizing Nintendo DS software inside the classroom to teach students everything from reading and writing, to vocabulary and listening comprehension.
Since May, teacher Soshi Okubo has been having class sessions that use the DS once a week. “The students have become extremely involved — it’s a fun way for them to learn spelling. At our school, we think learning English should be something fun.”
Since the year 2000, fifteen-thousand Japanese middle schools and high schools have resolved to find creative new teaching methods, and reduce route memorization.
“It’s fun and has really helped me in learning English,” says 9th grader Kanako Takahashi. “They even have DS software for learning math, so I’d like to try that too.”
The article has some DS details for the uninitiated, and explains that since there is still a ban on DS usage outside the classrooms, the students have to return their units once the English lesson is finished.
Banned outside the classroom? Thats funny because here it's the opposite.
We need some DS action in school in the U.S.
Japan Rules enough said
speaking of nintendo's "casual" direction…
I really see , with things successful like brain academy, a new market for ds other than hand-held gaming. It can be like hand-held device.
I dont have a ds, but i definitely would buy one if they would sell me software to teach me languages.
store recipes, have a to do list, write e-mal,sms, and phonecall,make it like a personal gadget would open a whole new market, I think it should be more than a gaming device with its two monitors and stylus. it can be like a pda for the "casual" consumer
With all the educational games coming out for the DS I'm not surprised to see them popping up in schools.
DS rulez. Nintendo Rulez. Japanese people rule! Period. Over and out.
What? Too bad I'm not in Japan… Just kidding, but that would be pretty cool to do in school. The teacher's like, "Alright class, turn on your DS's." 🙂