Next, to help learners acclimatise to the crucial process of translating the tables, diagnostics, and other information in the manual into efficient questions, a worksheet was designed around the Wires Module (see Figure 4). Additionally, a Module Identifier Page was provided, which allows the bomb team to quickly communicate as to which kind of modules they have when the bomb first appears (see Figure 3). Depending on the level of the students, translation was requested, or comprehension checked. Initially, the students were provided with a set of simple expressions that are useful for the game in general such as asking about remaining time, requesting repetition, and expressing confusion. The video and worksheets, as well as other resources, are available at. The authors devised worksheets and a video showing one of these levels being played to guide the students into the game. The first three default levels in the game are always exactly the same and use the simplest three modules. Another strategy was to assign a single module excerpt per individual or group, where they would identify and translate difficult parts to digitally annotate on a PDF for the class to use as their manual. With this in mind, the authors used the manual for timed scan-reading exercises with some classes, which helped students build reading speed and confidence (Chang, 2010). Nonetheless, it contains a lot of information that students will need to familiarise themselves with. This approach dealt with the students’ wish to explore the bomb, and allows them to understand that they need to prepare if they are to beat the game.Īlthough the game was not designed for EFL/ESL contexts, the manual does not contain particularly complicated vocabulary. The authors’ strategy was to let the students play the game once and then add in some scaffolding activities. The range of skills required across the different modules is quite broad, and few teams are successful at their first attempt. In the authors’ classroom context, learners are majoring in science and technology subjects, so the activity provided useful practice in using technical vocabulary such as grid references in a time-pressured, accuracy-focused environment. The modules’ communication requirements vary widely, including memorising number sequences, negotiating mazes, cutting wires in a correct order, and exchanging chains of code words. All of the solutions demand quick and accurate exchange of information with another team, who has sole access to the manual containing all the required defusing information (See Figure 2). The bombs can consist of three to 12 independent modules, each requiring a unique solution. The bomb is three-dimensional, and requires thorough inspection (see Figure 1). One team takes charge of the bomb using either a PC or a tablet. Keep Talking & Nobody Explodes is best played with two teams, who have to communicate effectively through sharing of the information necessary to defuse a bomb. Keep Talking & Nobody Explodes-a commercially produced video game available for both Windows and Apple iOS -has proved extremely effective as a technology-mediated activity, providing both ample opportunity for strong, student-led, task completion (Skehan, 1996), with a clearly-defined outcome (Ellis, 2003): for students to avoid exploding! Software description provided by the publisher.The potential of information-gap tasks to enhance the language learning experience is broadly acknowledged (Willis & Willis, 2007), and recently the added value of technology-mediated task-based approaches has been highlighted (Thomas & Reinders, 2010), as well as the role of synthetic immersive environments (Sykes, 2014). The Bomb Defusal Manual is freely available at and can be printed or viewed on a tablet or any other web-enabled device. Local co-op party game – Bomb defusing is a team endeavor.A different bomb every time – Procedurally generated puzzles keep the action fresh.Challenging puzzles – Test the limits of your communication skills.Puzzle-solving and communication skills – and maybe a few friendships – will be put to the test as players race to defuse bombs while communicating quickly, clearly, and effectively. Rounds are fast-paced, tense, occasionally silly, and almost always loud. But there’s a catch: the Experts can’t see the bomb, so everyone will need to talk it out – fast! The other players are the “Experts” who must give the instructions to defuse the bomb by deciphering the information found in the Bomb Defusal Manual. One player is trapped in a room with a ticking time bomb they must defuse.
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