Book Image

Gamification with Moodle

By : Natalie Denmeade
Book Image

Gamification with Moodle

By: Natalie Denmeade

Overview of this book

This book describes how teachers can use Gamification design within the Moodle Learning Management System. Game elements can be included in course design by using, badges, rubrics, custom grading scales, forums, and conditional activities. Moodle courses do not have to be solo-learning experiences that replicate Distance Education models. The Gamification design process starts by profiling players and creating levels of achievement towards meeting learning outcomes. Each task is defined, valued, and sequenced. Motivation loops are devised to keep the momentum going. In a gaming studio, this approach would require a team of specialists with a large budget and time frames. Preparing for a class rarely has these optimal conditions. The approach used in this book is to introduce game elements into the course design gradually. First, apply gamification to just one lesson and then build up to gamifying a series of lessons over a term. Each example will indicate the difficulty level and time investment. Try it out to see what is most effective with your learners and choose wisely in your use of technology. By the end of this book, you will be able to create Moodle courses that incorporate choice, communication, challenge, and creativity.
Table of Contents (18 chapters)
Gamification with Moodle
Credits
Foreword
About the Author
Acknowledgement
About the Reviewers
www.PacktPub.com
Preface
6
Mastery Achieved (Badges and Motivation)
8
Completing the Quest (Reporting Activities)
Index

Summary


Rubrics are much more powerful than marking guides and simple grading. Take time to get the wording correct and reflect a learner's growing ability. Personally, I can see that my relationship with my learners changes when I take the time to set up "the system" as the judge. (Even though, I am the course designer and I am "the system"). By me committing to a rule and having to enforce it, I lose my authoritarian status. Taking the mystery away from how I mark, reduces my (perceived) power.

Fairness has been my biggest lesson since using Gamification with a class of mainly young men. I have become more aware of my own inconsistencies and how generously my class tolerates my moods on different days. For example, is it fair if I don't make any comments about some students, especially the mature age students, being 5 minutes late from their lunch break? Once this was pointed out to me, I really had to think about the way I use my authority.

If a conscientious learner is occasionally late...