This document describes an HVAC gaming simulation project between Red Rocks Community College and Pikes Peak Community College. The project aims to gamify an existing HVAC simulation software to motivate students and allow for hybrid HVAC courses. A gamification engine would add badges students can earn for completing different equipment tasks and a leaderboard to track earnings. The schedule outlines developing and testing a prototype in 2013, with the goal of expanding its use in additional HVAC courses through 2014.

1. HVA GAMING PROJECT
An HVAC First-Person Gaming Simulation
Larry Snyder, Professor
Red Rocks Community College
Don Crawshaw, Faculty
Pikes Peak Community College

2. IMMERSIVE AND GAME-BASED LEARNING FACULTY
CHALLENGE GRANT
 Collaborative effort with Pikes Peak Community College
 Integrate game-based learning into 3 sections of HVA 102
 Expand use of gaming interface into additional HVA courses
 Adaptation of HVA 102 curriculum for hybrid delivery

3. GAMIFICATION OF AN HVAC
SIMULATION

4. HVAC SIMULATION BY DELMAR
3-D immersive simulation software mimics real world
HVAC service calls
Students must engage in realistic procedures in life-like
setting
No Gamification components
OBJECTIVE: Build a gamification engine that would motivate and
engage students and allow for creation of hybrid HVAC classes

5. GAMIFICATION ENGINE “BOLTED ON”

6. BADGES & “EARNINGS” LEADERBOARD

7. BADGES BY EQUIPMENT TYPE

8. FEATURE SET
 Badges by equipment type (6 appliances, 8 levels of badging)
 Earnings leaderboard. Complete “5-Star” service call to earn more $$
 Ability to set privacy settings (FERPA)
 Two approaches for student engagement:
1) Self study, advance in badges and on leaderboard by completing scenarios
2) Instructor capability to create assignments
 Instructor dashboard for ease of use
 Gamification code flexibility will allow for other disciplines to “bolt on”

9. SCHEDULE
 March 2013 – Grant paperwork complete
 May 2013 – Launch meetings and initial design
 June 2013 – Prototype complete and Focus Group class (PPCC)
 July 2013 to December 2013 – Software development with feedback
 October 2013 – Beta test in class (RRCC & PPCC)
 January 2014 – Launch hybrid HVA 102 class & expand software use into additional
classes
 June 2014 – Offer a second hybrid HVA 102 class
 August 2014 to December 2014 – Grant timeframe extended so continue expansion
into additional HVA classes

10. LOOKING AHEAD. . .
 National Leaderboard
 Inter-school Competitions
 Mozilla Badges
 Digital Resumes

11. MOZILLA BADGES

12. INSTRUCTOR COMMENTS
 The first-person gaming simulation is a great tool for instructors to use in
the classroom with students.
 It provides a safe platform to introduce students to the repair and
maintenance of air conditioning and heating equipment.
 Instructors can also teach basic electrical systems, troubleshooting, and
how to run a service call with this simulation.
 A mistake made while using this program does not risk damage to
equipment or injury to the student.
 Students can have virtual lab experiences on their own computers at
home.

13. CREATIVE COMMONS ATTRIBUTION
HVA Gaming Project Presentation by Larry Snyder, Don Crawshaw funded by the Immersive and
Game Based Learning Grant. is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International
License.
Based on a work at www.rrcc.edu and www.ppcc.edu . Permissions beyond the scope of this license
may be available at www.rrcc.edu.