It seems like the easiest or perhaps most obvious way to incorporate several of Gee's learning principles into a composition classroom is to use multimodal teaching and assignments. Of course, that is not a simple answer, since I now have to unpack what kinds of multimodal assignments I would use. I've come up with a sampling of assignments or types of writing that would include many of Gee's principles.
Blogging/Responding to an Online Forum
This could incorporate Principles 1 (Active, Critical Learning), 3 (Semiotic), 4 (Semiotic Domains), and definitely 6 ("Psychosocial Moratorium"). There are more that could be included, but I'll argue for these four specifically. Blogging or responding to forums can be a more active and critical act than simply reading and highlighting an article for yourself. By making students responsible for the content and placing them in conversation about it, engaging the text should be much more accessible. Also, if we make the blogs multimodal (must incorporate image, links, video, sounds), then they are also learning about "interrelations between sign systems" along with how to navigate groups connected to them. Most obviously, by giving students the opportunity to somewhat cloak themselves online, they are able to take bigger risks in some of their opinions than if everything had to be spoken directly to their classmates.
Group Writing Assignment Using WikiSpaces
This could incorporate Principles 34-36 specifically. By working together in an online, students would create "affinity groups" based mostly on shared goals while knowledge would be dispersed. Finally, each student would be a producer of knowledge (and an editor, too) instead of simply a consumer.
While I think it would be fascinating to watch how a video game might be incorporated into the composition classroom, these two assignment ideas include Gee's principles without needing to buy a PS3.
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