Game Mechanics in Education

        Alexandra Zaicu
Agenda
Point systems

The gamification loop

Sense of agency

Limitations and disadvantages
How can game mechanics make
  learning more engaging?
Point systems



       Perception of grading in education




Fail
Point systems

            3425 XP




              20 XP

Fail           0 XP
Indiana University: Lee Sheldon’s multiplayer game class
KhanAcademy.org
The Gamification Loop




       Liu, Alexandrova & Nakajima, 2011
Challenges



‘Hook’ tasks
Challenges



‘Hook’ tasks

               Mystery solving
Rewards

               Dopamine levels

XP
Rewards
Rewards


        Dopamine levels

XP
Social
Leader            network &
         Badges
boards              status
Achievements
Competitiveness
  Cooperation
Sense of Agency




Our role in the real world
Sense of Agency


Outcome control through choices in games
Limitations and disadvantages


Costs: technology, design
Limitations and disadvantages




What happens when
  rewards stop?
Summary
          3425 XP




           20 XP

Fail        0 XP
Summary
Summary
Summary
Thank you!

Game mechanics in education