Gamification
Stop the snoring! Make class less boring!
Stephen Scheib
Instructional Designer and Adjunct
Agenda
AKA our game board!
1. What is Gamification? (and what is not)
2. Why Gamify?
3. The Learners
4. The Story
5. Game Mechanics
6. Other Tips
From http://www.freevector.com/board-game-vector
What is Gamification?
Gamification takes existing material and adds game
mechanics to it.
• Using “experience points”
instead of “grades”
• Entices learners by giving
positive feedback
• Builds motivation
Legend of Zelda Majora’s Mask © Nintendo
What Gamification is NOT?
Many confuse gamification with making an educational game.
• Do not have to be a game
designer.
• Course content is the same!
• Not a video game.
• Do not need software building • Don’t need to be a “gamer”.
experience.
• Do not need expensive
technology.
Why Gamify?
Do any of these interest you?
•
Sports
•
Video Games
•
Board Games
•
Reading
•
Puzzles
•
Homework
Why or why not?
Gamification…
•
Promotes engagement
•
Strives on positive reinforcement
•
Reflects mastery-based learning
•
•
Try until you get it!
Entices with a story so you want to
keep going
Super Mario Bros. © Nintendo
•
Makes learning fun
The Learners and Profiles
What motivates us?
•
Richard Bartle examined and
defined 4 types of gamers.
•
Learners are unique, but are
motivated by common
themes.
•
What is boring to one, might
be engaging for another.
•
Must keep the audience in
mind!
From http://venturebeat.com/2012/12/20/what-sales-managers-can-learnfrom-the-four-types-of-online-gamers/
The Story
What do I need to do to gamify my course?
•
•
Create a narrative in which students
•
Stories resonate with us.
• Rags to Riches
Entices, hooks us into continuing on.
Build your course’s story into the
context of the course.
•
General themes
can connect.
•
•
•
Borrow from the real world.
Overcoming a Monster
•
The Quest
•
The Voyage and Return
•
Comedy
•
Tragedy
•
Rebirth
Game Mechanics
What can I do?
• Points/grade as experience (EXP)
•
Positive approach- start at 0 and only
go up!
•
Level up as you advance.
Level up Guide:
Level 1- 0 points
Level 2- 100 points
Level 3- 200 points
Level 4- 400 points
Level 5- 800 points
• Badges or other achievements
• Social challenges/ Group quest
• Trial and Error
•
When you “die” you restart and try
again.
•
Embed ways to earn “extra lives”
Final Fantasy IX © Square Enix
Tips for Gamifying
Can be done in all formats (face-to-face, online, etc.)
• Create group assignments (quests)
• Make a story/narrative
•
Use pop culture or public domain
•
Groups = Guilds
stories
•
Who will win?
Use adaptive release and achievements
Develop characters
•
Get a creative buddy or coworker to
•
Badges = Achievements in Blackboard
help
•
Unlock extra credit/ make up opportunity
•
Bonus questions for bonus points
•
Hint for the next assignment or quiz for
•
Focus on a problem or set of
problems
•
•
•
getting 100%
Have students make avatars
•
Promotes buy-in; gives a sense of
identity
More Tips for Gamifying
•
Use Grade Center as a leaderboard
•
•
•
•
Use gamer tags, or aliases
Promote the top 3, 5, or 10
Based on total points/ level
In Grade Center, add a column for
their level
•
Manually entered, but clearly shows
them their grade
•
Example of a level translating into a
grade:
•
Level 13 is 1,000 points = A+
•
Level 10 is 910 points = B+
•
Level 7 is 820 points = C+
• Level 4 is 730 points = D+
•
Level 2 is 670 points = D-
What if I am using a template?
•
Templates are generic, personalize
them to meet your needs!
•
•
If you want to change the grading
structure, discuss it with your chair.
You don’t have to change the content
of the course, just add a story to tie
all the pieces together.
•
Adding badges, a narrative, and
adaptive release is totally possible!
Pac-Man © Namco, from http://giphy.com/gifs/pacman-overwhelmed-Nqzq2ULB3Xbqg
Excellent Resources
•
The Ultimate Guide to Gamifying Your Classroom By Amanda Ronan via
http://www.edudemic.com/ultimate-guide-gamifying-classroom/
•
LMS Gamification: 7 Key Game Mechanics by Jill W. via
https://www.skillbuilderlms.com/lms-gamification-game-mechanics
Q U E S T
O N S ?
Questions?