This document discusses two classroom management techniques that incorporate gamification elements: 1) A meaningful gamification class that uses a leveling system, choice of assignments, narrative layer, unknown future outcomes, avatars, leaderboards, and unknown rewards. 2) An information reporting class that uses a leveling system, choice of assignments, narrative layer, known future outcomes, and mystery achievements. The document cautions that gamification elements can confuse non-gamers and recommends creating support systems for weaker students and weighing the overhead of non-traditional grading against the benefits.

1. Exploring Gamification Techniques
for Classroom Management
Scott Nicholson
Associate Professor
Syracuse University School of
Information Studies
http://becauseplaymatters.com

2. “Good morning. Welcome to the first
class of the semester. Everyone in this
class is going to receive an F.”

3. http://www.dndclassics.com/product/110274
/D%26D-Basic-Set-Rulebook-(Basic)

4. http://bookriot.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/forking-paths.jpg

5. http://www.geekalerts.com/u/Nintendo-The-Legend-of-
Zelda-Skyward-Sword-Link-Figma-Action-Figure.jpg
http://feliciaday.com/wp-content/uploads/guild_3501.jpg

6. http://www.abc.net.au/tv/goodgame/img/m1796850.jpg
https://apps.facebook.com/avengersalliance

7. http://www.ummoss.org/tale.jpg

8. Class #1: Meaningful
Gamification
• Split Level
• Online
• Elective
• Interested students
• Game topic
Class #2: Information
Reporting & Presentation
• Undergraduate
• Face-to-Face
• Requirement
• Non-game topic

9. Class #1: Meaningful
Gamification
• Leveling System
• Choice of Assignments
• Narrative Layer
• Unknown Future
• Avatars
• Leaderboard
• Some unknown rewards
Class #2: Information
Reporting & Presentation
• Leveling System
• Choice of Assignments
• Narrative Layer
• Known Future
• Mystery Achievements

10. Meaningful Gamification

11. Master Plan
• First 6 Weeks
– BLAP gamification
– Gamification by Design
• The Big Decision
– Keep Going or Start Over?
• Meaningful Gamification
– Reality is Broken

18. The Big Decision – Red or Blue?

21. Major components
• Reflection and plans for the future
(Autonomy)
• Rat Packs (Relatedness)
• The Ratskeller (Competency)
• The Escape into The Big Dark Place

22. Information Reporting and
Presentation
• Required activities = C
• Optional activities -> A or B
• Re-do opportunities
• Student-created Narrative
• Good class performance = achievement ring

23. Level-based Grading System
• Very confusing to some non-gamers
• Advising requests at halfway point
• Difficult to conceptualize current grade
• Vote at half-way point, 75% wanted to change
• Starting at 0 = superficial change from traditional
systems

24. “
I
w
o
u
l

25. http://www.volacci.com/files/imce-uploads/fish-in-fishing-nets-vector.jpg

26. Conclusions
• Game layers can confuse non-gamers
• Create systems that support weaker students
– Learning agreements still allow choice
– Group support
– Failure-safe space
• Student-created narratives
• Weigh overhead vs. benefits
– Non-traditional grading systems
– Achievements, Badges, Extras
– Redo time, both in-class and grading

27. To learn more…
http://becauseplaymatters.com/pubs