Gaming Your Online Class

Why Not Make Learning Fun?

Introduction

Jim Marteney

Introduction

Jim Marteney

Professor Emeritus

Communication Studies

Distance Learning Trainer

What’s the opposite of Work?

No!!

Inaction

Gamification

Gamification is the application of game

elements and digital game design

techniques to non-game problems, such

as business and social impact challenges

and education.

Gamification leverages people's natural

tendencies for competition, achievement, and

collaboration.

Tools employed in game design such as rewarding

users for achievements, "leveling-up," and earning

badges help motivate individuals achieve their goals or

boost performance.

Learning How to Type

T-Shirt for 100th Ride

Competency Based Grading

The student is evaluated on the individual competency

and can only move on to other competencies after they

have mastered the current skill being learned.

Unit outcomes emphasize competencies that include application and

creation of knowledge, along with the development of important

skills and dispositions.

Every individual skill or learning outcome (known as a competency) is

one single unit.

Learners work on one competency at a time, which is

likely a small component of a larger learning goal.

Students advance upon demonstrated mastery.

Students receive timely, differentiated support

based on their individual learning needs.

Two Classic Examples

Boy Scouts Martial Arts

Trauma Center

9 Steps to Gaming Your Class

1. Start With Your Class Objective

Students will be able to:

Develop the skills of argumentation

including supporting, attacking and

defending.

Communication Studies 104Student Learning Outcome

2. Create Unit Objectives

Your New Skills

Communication Studies 104 Unit Objectives

1. Recognize your personal conflict style2. Identify your personal communication style3. Be able to analyze an argument using the Toulmin Model4. Be able to create and identify the Claim of an argument5. Demonstrate the ability to write specific, unbiased single

subject issues (questions)6. Demonstrate the ability to distinguish between high

quality and low quality sources of evidence7. Identify common fallacies

Steps needed to reach class goal

Each Level

Knowledge

A repeatable quiz. Need

to reach a certain score

to pass

Canvas not allow for time

between test taking

If falls short, must write a

question to have it

reopened.

Skill

Must earn a certain

number of points to pass

the skill level

An exercise or task that

demonstrates they have

reached the unit

objective

If they don’t score

enough points they use

my feedback to redo the

task.

Each Level

Examples of Skill Tasks

Create a Toulmin Analysis

Identify and Explain Personal Conflict Style

Identify and Explain Personal Decision Making Style

Demonstrate ability to ask Effective Questions

Identify Fallacies

Analyze the Bias and Accuracy of Websites

Wisdom

They passed this task by

just contributing.

Received points for their

contribution, but what if they

had poor contributions?

A discussion where

students share their

insights on the unit

topic.—example

Language code

Created Class Divisions

Each Level

Needed Certain amount of points

The reward is a New Office

Class Divisions

4 Times during the class

3. Create Engaging Module Activities

Activities that enhance student mastery

A writing assignment

Peer review

Individual or group projects like powerpoint or videos

Leading a discussion

Interactive activities Danny

Create content, like an individual page

4. Decide on the Content for Each Level

“I just throw ideas at the wall

and see if anything sticks.”

No

Beginnin

g

Middle

End

Tell them what you are going to tell them.

Tell them.

Tell them what you told them.

A quality module needs structure

4. Decide on the Content for Each Level

Tie content to your unit objectives

What will your students need to know to pass your level?

A quality module

needs

quality content

4. Decide on the Content for Each Level

5. Invent a Back Story

White House Visitor White House Chief of Staff

5. Invent a Back Story

Report for College Language Code

The White House has been asked to weigh in on a national

debate on Freedom of Speech that is occurring on our college

campuses. Since you are now the White House Researcher, your

opinion is wanted on this topic.

We have all heard the term, politically correct language. Some

argue that it is an evil, politically motivated movement to limit our

rights to free speech. Others argue that politically correct

language merely ask us to be more civil and less offensive when

we argue with others?

The question arises, "Are there words so offensive that they

Key Gaming Ideas

5. Invent a Back Story

Key Gaming Ideas

5. Invent a Back Story

6. Put Yourself in the Story

6. Put Yourself in the Story

6. Put Yourself in the Story

My “Studio”

Get students contributing

Discussions

Surveys

Live Conferences

Reactions to Announcements

Initial Assignment Comments

7. Encourage Student Interaction

Give students a voice

Extrinsic Motivation

Intrinsic Motivation

8. Motivate Students

8. Motivate Students

Create Badges for Each Level

8. Motivate Students

The Leader Board

8. Motivate Students

1. Preview the class and your Expectations

3. Give students positive feedback

4. Send class encouragements

2. Eliminate De-Motivators

5. Peer Pressure

8. Motivate Students

Think, what would make me want to

come and succeed in this class

First Level Reactions

I Made It! I love this class! I have 2 other

classes and I just leave the other ones halfway

come back to this class :)

I MADE IT! This definitely the most interesting

and active I've been for an online class. I'm

really enjoying it!

I just told my husband I am so glad that I took this

class very interactive and fun! All while learning

something. The best of both worlds

9. Have Fun Teaching

9 Steps to Gaming Your Class

1. Decide On Your Class Objective

2. Create Module Objectives

3. Create Module Skills

4. Decide Content for Each Level

8. Motivate Students

5. Invent a Back Story

6. Put Yourself in the Story

7. Encourage Student Interaction

9. Have Fun Teaching

Midterm Class Survey

0 15 30 45 60 75 90 105

Flexible Dates

Hard Dates

90%

10%

54 Responses

Would You Rather Have Flexible or Hard Due Dates?

0 16 32 48 64 80

Helpful

Not Helpful

71%

29%

54 Responses

Does Using Badges Help You Move Along in the Class?

Love Class 10

9

Enjoyable 8

7

6

Class is OK 5

25

4

15

1

3

4

53 Responses

What Is Your Feeling About This Class?

Gaming Your ClassPros and Cons

Pros Cons

Need to Check Daily

Students Procrastinate

Students at different points in class

Students move at their own pace

Fun to teach, can really

see student progress

Increases student engagement

Students experience immediate

signs of achievement and

progress

Uses both intrinsic and

extrinsic motivation

Can lead to student frustration

when making repeated

attempts to complete level

Students negative reaction

to competition

Resources

https://www.coursera.org/learn/gamification

Resources

Game Definition Investopedia:https://www.investopedia.com/terms/g/gamification.asp

Gamification Course:https://www.coursera.org/lecture/gamification/1-1-introduction-4h5k1

Google: Coursera and gamification

Badger Setup in a Canvas Course:https://support.badgr.io/pages/viewpage.action?pageId=327770

Canvas Gaming Group:https://community.canvaslms.com/groups/gamification

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