Quest 1 - The begining of your quest for KNOWLEDGE
One way in which game theory can be applied to a classroom is through motivation, providing the learner with a narrative in which they encounter the problems.
[Commencing enthralling narrative...] You have decided that you would like learn about the theories of gamification within the classroom. The theories and application of gamification is fairly new with it's involvement in education, and therefore will be constantly evolving throughout the years to come. By deciding to move forward with your quest for knowledge, you take a great step to ensure you classes are engaging, and teaching points reach their target audience.
You must accept this first quest, as it will ensure your basic understanding of the some of the concept behind game theory. Before you can venture off into the world, we must first explain how the pointing systems works.
[Commencing enthralling narrative...] You have decided that you would like learn about the theories of gamification within the classroom. The theories and application of gamification is fairly new with it's involvement in education, and therefore will be constantly evolving throughout the years to come. By deciding to move forward with your quest for knowledge, you take a great step to ensure you classes are engaging, and teaching points reach their target audience.
You must accept this first quest, as it will ensure your basic understanding of the some of the concept behind game theory. Before you can venture off into the world, we must first explain how the pointing systems works.
Level 1 - Welcome to the your starting area
|
10 points |
As we talk about game theory in education, or gamification of education, we will also demonstrate some of the ways in which the application of gamification can be done in a virtual environment.
Think about every game that you have ever played, there is always a starting area in which you get comfortable with the rules, the points system, and the game mechanics. When applying game theory to an instructional method the instructor should do the same. This allows for the instructor to clearly delineate what is expected of the students, and allows for students to gain a baseline understanding. The rules, or expectations, may change in order to make the activities more difficulty. By allowing for a starting area where a baseline can be drawn, the learner will be much more comfortable with the challenges that lay out before them.
Think about every game that you have ever played, there is always a starting area in which you get comfortable with the rules, the points system, and the game mechanics. When applying game theory to an instructional method the instructor should do the same. This allows for the instructor to clearly delineate what is expected of the students, and allows for students to gain a baseline understanding. The rules, or expectations, may change in order to make the activities more difficulty. By allowing for a starting area where a baseline can be drawn, the learner will be much more comfortable with the challenges that lay out before them.
Tip: When applying gamification to a specific area of your instruction, make sure it is ready to be implemented from the start. Introducing students to gamification mid way through a course or instructional area will confuse some students. This will mitigate many of the great motivational factors for the learner.
|
Points and Level
Each level will be assigned a point value, completing the level will provide you with points. Within each level there is also the opportunity to collect additional points by solving problems or covering additional content, these are called side quests. Due to the mature audience, you will keep your own score card and submit it at the end. This is due to both a limitation within the presentation platform and the honor code in which you all embody.
level 2 - What is gamification
SIDE QUEST: Watch the video? Add another 10 points to your total!
|
20 pointsAt it's most simple form, game theory in education takes game mechanics and applies them to learning. This includes everything from turning a classroom into a game (see video to the left), to awarding individuals points based on a good behavior.
There are many other educational theories that can be seen within game theory. A behaviorist economy can be identified with point systems and leveling up, where good behavior is rewarded while bad behavior reduces value. Problem-based learning strategies are also employed with getting the learner to take risks to attempt to solve an issue. Gamification also take actual games and applies learning values to those games. A great example is a slightly altered version of minecraft where students can learn about building a society, and what is required to create that society. |
Pick a game, any game
Below are a series of buttons. Choose one of the button below and try and think of the learning value, or topic, that the individuals are trying to get across with their game. Explore how there use of games reaches teaching points. Are there anything that all of the different games have in common? What are the big selling points behind these games? How is teacher interaction included within the training support packages offered?
SIDE QUEST: Add an additional 10 points for each game you review (over the 1 game minimum).
GAMIFICATION goes beyond video games
Gamification is not just about creating video games where the learner interacts with the information in a virtual environment. Game theory in relation to education can also be applied without the use of any technology. As previously stated Game theory can be applied to the classroom where students who answer a specific number of questions level up, you can install leader boards within your classroom, and even setup entire economies in which specific performance based rewards will provide the student with a further advantage as the course progresses.
Level 3 - The history of gamification |
see level specific scoring |
In 1986......
The image the right lays out, in great detail, the history of gamification. While not strictly focused on education, it is important to know how we got to where we are today. Take a look at the picture to the right (clicking on it downloads the files) and see if you can find the following items: Note: You may use external resources to find your answers. 1. What was the first multi-user virtual world game? (2 points) SIDE QUEST: Is MUD 1 still being played today? (4 points) 2. What browser has employed open source badges to mark accomplishments in the virtual environment? (2 points) SIDE QUEST: What have other browsers done to use gamification in education? (4 points) 3. What did DevHUB do to increase it's user engagement? (2 points) 4. Who gained the term gamification? (2 points) 5. What forged a link between training, health, education, and public policy sectors? (4 points) Once you have answered each of these (or at least to the best of your ability) add up your points, and combine them with your running total.
|