Enhancing Learning Through Gamification (CTE750)

Location: EV1 242

Notes: Open to faculty and staff (registration is required)

Description: Gamification as a term has been associated with education in recent years due to the emergence of new technologies designed to increase motivation to learn. In its most basic form, gamification introduces game-like elements – points, badges, and leaderboards – into a learning environment so that learners are entertained and inspired to extrinsically learn the material. Despite its best intentions, however, gamification often attempts to mask the intrinsic value of learning with these game-like elements.

This workshop series will dispel the perceived utility of the rudimentary form of gamification by delving into why games are motivating and engaging, and how the characteristics of good games can be applied to a classroom or online learning environment; activities and assessment alike can adopt game-like approaches to engage learners. Participants will discover practical strategies and tools that can be adapted to their current teaching practices and understand the benefit of thoughtful implementation of gamification principles.

This workshop consists of three parts. Part 1 involves watching a short screencast before attending Part 2 of this workshop series in-person, where we will then discuss and start to apply the ideas and principles together and share our initial development of a gamified assignment or lesson design. Part 3 of this series, taking place a week later, will provide the opportunity for participants to reconvene after having spent time revising or developing their gamification ideas in order  to receive further feedback on them.

Note: Although participants are welcome to take part in only Parts 1 and 2 of this workshop series, we highly encourage participation in all three parts to benefit from the feedback from your colleagues.

Learning Outcomes: After this workshop series, participants will be able to:

• identify how theories of gamification are applicable (or not) to various teaching and learning contexts;
• discover new tools, technologies, and approaches to apply gamification principles in a teaching environment;
• develop and share strategies to incorporate effective gamification in your own teaching environment;
• provide and receive formative feedback regarding gamified lesson and assignment design.

Facilitators: Mark Morton (CTE), and Kyle Scholz (CTE)

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Full overview of 2017 Educational Technologies workshop series.