1. Gamifying Education It’s more than just playing video games...

2. Recap: Games in Education  Math Blaster and The Oregon Trail

3. Gamification  Using game terms and mechanics in a non-game setting.  Business and Education Applications

4. How does it work?

5. Progression vs. Regression  Focuses on “going up” rather than “falling down”  Rewards progress rather than punishing mistakes

6. Progression  Awards “experience points” for assignments/tasks  A 16/20 mark on a test may translate into 160 Experience Points (EXP).  You mark the same, but they see it differently.  Eventually, you level up!

7. Rewards  Progressing and “Leveling-Up” grants rewards.  Carrot on a Stick!  Can be tailored to instructor needs  Though, some people may disagree on the use of rewards...

8. Level-Ups  Clear indicators of progression  Level 1 = New Student  Level 2 = D  Level 3 = C  Level 4 = C+  Etc....  Opportunity to provide rewards that students can use to help them progress further.

9. Rewards cont…  Psychologists have known this for years  Get with it, Education!  B.F. Skinner introduced the terms “Reinforcement” and “Operant Conditioning”

10. Microtransactions  An alternative to badges or level up rewards  Reward gold, gems, or some kind of “currency”  Currency can be spent on perks in class  CHOICE!

11. Recognition  Earn badges for milestone achievements  Doing something 5, 10, 25, etc. times can earn recognition  Can be tailored to fit the class’s needs  Based on “XBOX GamerScore”, “PSN Trophies”, “Steam Achievements”, etc.... from major gaming platforms

13. Cooperation and Social Interaction  Rewards should be tailored to encourage cooperation and supporting one another  E.g., students could earn “bonus EXP” for a “group bonus”; earn bonus EXP for helping other students; or whole class rewards of X number of students achieve Y.  Encourages students to help one another and cooperate.  Often used in businesses.

14. Extra Lives Start with 3 Lives (or “Hearts” or whatever) Retrying a test/assignment costs 1 Life/Heart Cannot retry without any Lives/Hearts Can earn extra Lives/Hearts through Level-Up rewards.

15. Questions?