Press Start! Leveling Up Your Learners With Gamification

Purpose & objective

Teachers will leave the presentation with a fuller understanding of the components of gamification and the knowledge of how to apply those concepts to their existing lessons. They will use their devices to work through a gamified lesson using different technology tools (Google Suite, Flipgrid & Nearpod) they can easily access in their classrooms. We are not laying out specific models or lessons plans, because we want teachers to think through their own lessons and models for application, not forcing what our district does on them. Success will look like excited teachers ready to learn more about gamification and understanding how it applies to their specific situations.

Outline

60-minute session:

10 minutes: Introductions and set up of the game.
• Instead of starting with a traditional explanation, we want teachers to experience gamification before we define it for them.
• We will take a brief period after introductions to make sure everyone knows what technology is being used and has access.

30 minutes: Gamified Lesson
• Participants will be given the starting point of the game and then left to work through the process. The session leaders will circulate to assist as necessary if anyone is having difficulty.
• Through the lesson participants will learn about the different types of gamification so they can develop their own definition of what it might look like for them.
• They will also start to learn the ‘why’ of gamification and how it will benefit their students.

10 minutes: Debrief
• We will explain our process in building the lesson and the ‘why’ we followed.
• We want teachers to understand how we applied the design process, but also see they can apply it completely differently and have success.
10 minutes: Extension
• Two groups will be created: the Big Idea Group and the Workgroup
• The Big Idea Group is for those that want to extend the conversation and have theoretical discussions about the applications of gamification
• The Workgroup is for those who want to start applying their new knowledge immediately.
• We will offer these groups so participants can continue their learning while still having access to the presenters and other teachers.

Supporting research

The Gamification of Learning and Instruction : Game-Based Methods and Strategies for Training and Education. San Francisco, CA :Pfeiffer, 2012.

Kapp, Karl M., 1967-. (2014). The gamification of learning and instruction fieldbook : ideas into practice. San Francisco, CA :Wiley,

https://elmlearning.com/psychological-benefits-gamification/