Describes my concept of the Heroic Classroom. Combining storytelling and gamification in the blended classroom.

1. Dr. Bill Brantley, PMP
April 25, 2014
The Heroic Classroom – Storytelling in
the Blended Course

2. ENCE 424 – Project Management
Communications
• Divided class into three shifts of 30 to 35
students
• Lectures moved online (“Reading Notes”)
• Online weekly discussions
(Reflection/Prime)
• Four individual speeches
• In-class small group discussions or
activities

3. The Course as the
Hero’s Journey

4. Transformation of the
Student into a Master

5. Your Role as the Mentor:
Guided Experiences
Seven Basic Plots*
 Overcoming the Monster – Defeating a major
threat
 The Quest – Travel through a dangerous land to
achieve a goal
 Voyage and Return – Unexpected journey and
return which makes the voyager wiser
 Comedy – Confusion and misunderstanding
 Tragedy – Failure brought about by character flaws
 Rebirth – Misfortune is lifted through heroic or good
deeds
 Rags to Riches – Sudden success
*Stories That Move Mountains: Storytelling and Visual
Design for Persuasive Presentations

6. Games: Experiences
Linked by Story

7. Gamification Elements for
Designing Experiences (4)

8. Gamification Elements for
Designing Experiences (3)

9. te@chthought
Terry Heick
05/06/2013
Gamification Elements for
Designing Experiences (4)

10. te@chthought
Terry Heick
05/06/2013
Gamification Elements for
Designing Experiences (5)

11. Curricular Capabilities
Curricular Capabilities
1)Critical Thinking
2)Self-Confidence
3)Peer Learning
4)Knowledge Management
Course Management Capabilities
1)Discovery-Based Learning
2)360-Degree Out-of-Course
3)Knowledge Assets
4)Teach to Learn
Van Weigel
(2005)
“From Course Management
to Curricular Capabilities”

12. Structuring the Course

13. Online Discussions

14. In-Class Exercises

15. Final Project

16. Lessons Learned
• Begin with the desired end-goal knowledge, skills,
and abilities in mind.
• Map out the journey. Make it a mix of lectures (online),
discussion forums (online), and scenarios (online). In
class meetings: small group exercises (peer-to-peer
learning), role-playing, impromptu stories, and
scenarios. How does each contribute to the
transformation?
• What does the student bring to the beginning of the
journey? Create personas to help in course planning.
• Model the end-goal knowledge, skills, and abilities in
mind.

17. Stories in the
Online Lectures

18. Next Step: Revamping
Online Lectures

19. Dr. Bill Brantley, PMP
bill@billbrantley.com