designing online learning like a game: quests, challenges and badges

Quests, Challenges & Badges

Designing Online Learning Like a Game

Larysa Nadolny, Iowa State University2014 ITEC Conference

Game-based Learning: “Where specific problem scenarios are placed within a play context” (Tsai & Fan, 2013, p. 115)

Examples

Designing Your Course

Game Attributes• Assessment• Conflict or Challenge• Control• Environment or Location• Game fiction or Mystery• Immersion• Rules and Goals• Interaction: Student & Game• Interaction: Social

Game Elements• Badges• Leaderboards• Rewards (candy, etc.)• Rewards (points, etc.)• Quests• Boss Level• Instant Feedback• Unlock items• Competitive Tasks

My Course

Start Here

Quests

Badges

The Gradebook

Start slow. Do not start then stop completely. Use a LMS. If something doesn't work apologize and fix it. Make achievements black and white. Have a holistic part of the leaderboard. Change vocabulary. Use total points grading. Have fun.

Play games, allow for open play, balance extrinsic and intrinsic motivators, and remember that it is almost impossible to engage all learners in any single system, no matter how well designed the game. The best way to prototype is by playing.

QUESTIONS?