In this presentation, we propose that you can utilize aspects of gamification with principles of andragogy (adult learning) to effectively motivate a seasoned workforce.

1. Gamification for the Win
or
How to Motivate a Workforce to
Learn New Skills
Josh Rykowski
@ryko212
Scott Hamilton
@funtimes_ninja
Zach McElroy
@ohai_ninja
Silent Partner

2. Background
• Josh
– Programmer
• Mainly Python
– Educator
• Passion for STEM
– Reviver of vintage
game systems
• You name it, I have
it…
• Scott
– Deer hunter
– Jack of all trades
• Sysadmin
• Infosec passion
• Bashfu ninja
• Python slinger

3. Why We Are Here…
...standing in front of you
We propose that you can utilize aspects of
gamification with principles of andragogy
(adult learning) to effectively motivate a
seasoned workforce.

4. Why Does This Matter?
• Job Scope Change:
– Options:
• Fire the current staff?
-OR-
• Train current current staff and maintain momentum
– Builds company morale
– Shows the employees that the company cares

5. Why Does This Matter? - cont.
• How to implement those changes:
– Rehash the old learning models?
• Lecture, PowerPoint, seminars, etc…
– Try something new
• Adult Learning Model - Andragogy
• Gamification

6. Adult Learning Model - Andragogy
Knowles 1980/1984
• Five Assumptions
– Self-concept
– Adult learner
experience
– Readiness to learn for
current role
– Orientation to
learning - immediacy
of application
– Internal motivation to
learn
• Four Principles
– Involvement in
planning of learning
– Experience provides
the basis for learning
– Relevance of learning
on current tasks
– Problem-centered vs.
subject-centered

7. Gamification
• Definition:
– The application of typical elements of game
playing to other areas of activity, specifically to
engage users in problem solving.
• Rules of play / Scoping
• Point scoring
• Leaderboard / Friendly competition
• Examples of gamification:
– Mobile device games
– Facebook games

8. Gamification cont.
• Principals we focus on:
– “I Orientation”
• user-centric
– “Learning Orientation”
• Acquisition of knowledge
– “Achievement Based Rewards”
• Explicit return on investment
– “Amusement Factors”
• Slight heckling
– “Knowledge Based”
• Either as outcome or in feedback
• Reference:
– http://journal.frontiersin.org/article/10.3389/fpsyg.2014.00014/full

9. Our Examples
• Codewarz
– Custom written
– Challenge based
programming
– Language agnostic
– Evil challenges
• varying levels
– Support System
• heckling
– Lessons learned
• User interface
• Hardware
• Challenges

10. Our Examples
• Cyberstakes(Borrowed)
– Various categories
• Binary Exploitation
• Forensics
• Cryptography
• etc….
– Custom challenges
– Support System
• Some hints provided
– Lessons learned

11. Industry Examples
• SANS Holiday Hack Challenge
• Microcorruption
– https://microcorruption.com/login
• JCTF(formally Joint Cyber Competition (JCC)
CTF)

12. Conclusions
Phase 1 - Andragogy + Gamification
Phase 2 - ?
Phase 3 - Profit

13. Questions?
• Josh Rykowski
• @ryko212
• ryko212@gmail.com
• Scott Hamilton
• @funtimes_ninja
• funtimes@codewarz.ninja
• Zach McElroy
• @ohai_ninja
• zach.mcelroy@gmail.com