Engaging Students Online Part 2: Gamification √ §

How can you energize your online classroom and engage students through games and gamification techniques? Well-designed games for learning motivate players to work through challenging problems that require them to engage with concepts, take calculated risks, and reflect on the learning process--collaboration and/or competition can heighten this enjoyment (Gee, 2007; Smith-Robbins, 2011). Join us as we explore general principles about using games for learning, specific examples from UMBC colleagues, and applications to our own online classrooms. Faculty panelists will present examples designed to engage students, motivate them to learn, and create social connections as they collaborate or compete to demonstrate their learning. The strategies are not discipline-specific and are adaptable to many courses. Panelists include Kerri Evans (SOWK) and Caitlin Kowalewski (BIOL).