Presentation given at NERCOMP Gameful Learning Professional Development workshop, September 2014. This presentation explored some aspects of applying a gamification framework toa Graduate Instructional Design course, and the initial application of digital badges to this course.
Digital badges - NERCOMP Gameful Learning Presentation
1. Digital Badges
The case of INSDSG 619
also available on SlideShare
Apostolos Koutropoulos, MBA, MSIT, MEd, MA
2. Agenda
Gamification Framework
Framework & the semester schedule
Digital Badges for INSDSG 619/684
Badges
How it worked out
Future steps
3. Ground Rule
Questions? Ask!
No need to wait until the end.
If there is something I will get to at a later point in
the presentation I will let you know
4. Gamification Framework
1 2
Early Late
Onboarding
Early Late
Midgame
3 4
Endgame Everlasting Epicwinblog
21. Lessons Learned
Writing testimonials, and providing evidence, for
behavioral badges is tough!
Most Easter Eggs revealed after week 6 (late
midgame)
Generally speaking: Students who earned badges
liked the recognition – however no significant boost
in motivation.
For the most part: knowing that peers would be
voting on the final project encouraged student to
“up their game” when designing their final project.
22. Possible Future Directions
Rethink current assignments
Start from scratch with most
Use badges instead of grades
Improve Midgame experience
Student Sourced Badges
Create an Open Course
Engage alumni mentors
Enhance Level 6 mechanics
1.
Needed to recognize those who made the course better for everyone else. Those who kickstarted discussion, who kept it going, who found issues with the course materials before it became an issue for all, and those who helped others make connections. At the end of the day we needed to move from the letter of the rubric to the spirit of the rubric.
2.
With 619 being numbered as an entry level course and basic pre-requisites, there were students near the beginning of their studies, and ones near the end of their studies. Final projects, although they all got passing marks, were of varying quality. (finished product and a diamond in the rough). Needed a way to push students to go beyond the letter of the rubric.
Examples of “regular” easter eggs:
Discussion Kindler in Week 7
No Walled Gardens in Week 8
Exceptions:
Sharing is Caring: week 3
Beyond the course: Week 3
Bug Squasher: Week 3
Examples of “regular” easter eggs:
Discussion Kindler in Week 7
No Walled Gardens in Week 8
Exceptions:
Sharing is Caring: week 3
Beyond the course: Week 3
Bug Squasher: Week 3
Examples of behavioral objectives: be the first to post 3 times in the semester? Or have more than 6 posts per week in the forum for discussion kindler.
Examples of “regular” easter eggs:
Discussion Kindler in Week 7
No Walled Gardens in Week 8
Exceptions:
Sharing is Caring: week 3
Beyond the course: Week 3
Bug Squasher: Week 3
9/14 (64%) completed an end of semester survey about the badges
I say “mostly liked the recognition” because I am not sure how to interpret “it’s nice!” when asked about what they thought when they received a badge notification.
Midgame, at the moment, might feel a little like a hamster wheel.
There is content, they do something with it, they get feedback, they improve, and we move week by week. Some might get fatigued by this.
Expand upon the potential significance of things like the discussion initiator and discussion kindler. In my mind these are qualities that employers should want – people who initiate important discussions and people who engage with their peers to come to better understanding.
Alumni mentors. How to bring back students in their final semester, after they’ve taken this class (and other courses) to help scaffold the newbies? How do enable them to become teachers? How to challenge them?