Research-to-Practice: Applying Game Mechanics to eLearning
Program Description:
One of the most provocative phrases in learning these days: Digital games.
Driven by the belief that the “digital native” generations moving into the workplace are skilled and motivated gamers, learning specialists are ushering in a new age of digital games that integrate game mechanics and learning content into learning experiences at every level. This new age of educational games (called serious games, game-based learning, and sometimes gamification), is also beginning to affect the eLearning design of corporate user assistance and education. Sound good? But you have tools like Captivate and Storyline and (sigh) PowerPoint. Can you create meaningful game experiences with tools like these? And, even if you do figure out the technical ins and outs of games in eLearning, what research supports the design of eLearning games?
In this presentation with Cheri Lockett Zubak, we will look at practical but research-supported ideas in game-based learning design that you can apply to developing more engaging eLearning.
What You Will Learn About
- First: Are games really motivational?
- A definition of games that you can usefully apply to eLearning design
- The “must have” characteristics of games that can immediately change
eLearning for the better
- Game research guidelines that you can apply an eLearning environment
- The things you need to change in yourself to apply game mechanics to eLearning
About the Speaker:
Cheryl Lockett Zubak
Cheri first learned about digital games by watching her son (now 22, and an avid game player) play digital games with his friends. She became so interested in the performance support and engagement possibilities of games that she decided to do graduate work on the subject (Drexel University, 2013). Cheri is also pursuing a Master’s degree in Organizational Performance and Workplace Learning in the excellent program at Boise State University (she will complete her coursework in December 2015). Some would say that Cheri likes school. The fact is that she is deeply interested in how people learn, and what we can do, as learning specialists, to improve the quality of learning experiences.
Directions:
Upon entering the campus, enter at Morris Road then make an immediate right into the Advanced Technology Center parking lot. The ATC lot is the best place to park. The gated lot is open after 5:00pm weeknights and during the day on weekends.
GPS - To enter the campus from Morris Road, use this address: 1313 Morris Road, Blue Bell, PA 19422.
SEPTA ROUTE - bus routes #94 and #96 also enters the campus with a bus stop directly in front of the ATC building.
Parking - You may also park in the Green Parking Lot located behind the ATC; parking gate will be open.