08/21 – 08/25 : Module 1

Introduction to Games in the Classroom

Game-based-Learning-pictureWhat is a game? What is gamification? What does that mean to faculty, college instructors, instructional designers, and other learning and development practitioners? Gamification is a buzz word in the field of instructional technology. People enjoy playing games because games are fun, often interactive, and engaging. This module looks at gaming basics, and gives a brief introduction to gaming, how it impacts our children and their environment.

Outcomes

After completing this module, students will be able to:

  • define gaming
  • explain the characteristics of a gaming environment
  • describe at least two ways gaming makes classroom innovative.

Selected Readings

Required

Recommended:

  • None

“To Do” List

 

Discussions

1. Self-Introduction

The discussion topic is to introduce yourself to the class. Please include the following basic information in your biography:

  • Preferred first name?
  • Educational background and experience?
  • Pursuing a degree at what level, and in what field?
  • Current employment, if employed? Years of professional experience?
  • Future career goals?
  • Learner status (full-time/part-time student)?
  • Goals for this course?
  • Preferred learning-styles? In what ways do you learn most effectively? Please describe.
  • Other relevant interesting information? (What would you like to share about yourself to help the teacher and other class members get to know you better?)
  • Attach your photo or provide a link to your blog/website/Facebook (The last item is optional)

Compose your biography in a narrative format (2 or 3 paragraphs, no bulleted items) and post it on Discussions area of Moodle.

Make your initial posts before 11:59 p.m. U.S. EST/EDT on Day 5 of this module. After making your initial postings, review at least two of your classmates’ postings and reply to their threads. Complete your replies before 11:59 p.m. U.S. EST/EDT on the next Monday.

2. Observation of Gamification at Workplace

Based upon the definition of gamification provided by Kapp and the observation in your workplace, please describe/report an event or incident that uses game-based mechanics, aesthetics, and game thinking to engage people/learners/students, motivate action, promote learning, and solve problems.

Make your initial posts before 11:59 p.m. U.S. EST/EDT on Day 5 of this module. After making your initial postings, review at least two of your classmates’ postings and reply to their threads. Complete your replies before 11:59 p.m. U.S. EST/EDT on the next Monday.

Discussion postings should always be thoughtful and courteous and include some references or direct evidence from the module’s content, readings, or assignments to support your statements. In order to ensure that postings are appropriate in length and substance, please limit your initial postings to 100 – 200 words and each of your responses to 25 – 50 words.

Learning Log

Games in the Classroom

After watching Gabe Zichermann’s speech, and reading the articles by Begona Gros and Lee & Hammer, what do you feel that you are already doing to create a gaming environment for your students? How have these industry professionals supported what you are doing, and what do you think, after learning from them, you need to further explore and/or implement, to make gaming more successful in your classroom?

This learning log entry should be 250-300 words, should answer all parts of the prompt, and should incorporate evidence from this module’s content. Compose your log entry in M.S. Word and paste it onto a Weebly page (create a separate Weebly page for each entry). Post your Weebly page (URL) onto the corresponding link inside Moodle before 11:59 p.m. U.S. EST/EDT on the next Monday.

Submission Examples:

Note: If you never use Weebly before, please view Weebly tutorial.