Gamification of a Nursing Microbiology Course: Initial Impacts on Attitude, Engagement & Collaborative Learning
Session Format
Poster Session (90 and 30 minutes)
Location
Lobby
Abstract for the conference program
Gamification of curriculum isn’t just about using games in the classroom – it integrates game elements and game-thinking in course design to engage students, promote learning, motivate their action, and develop problem-solving skills.
Using elements of game play (experience points, quests, PvP battles, etc.), students were guided along their educational journey which was transformed to make the learning experience more compelling while encouraging development of problem-solving skills, focus, and a drive to exceed minimum goals. Rewards and incentives motivated student-players to continually improve (“level-up”) and add to the sense of enjoyment of participating.
This session describes the transformation of a traditional Nursing Microbiology course into a richer learning experience using gamification. The gamified course design was modeled after a multiplayer role-playing game (like World of Warcraft) where fighting “monsters” and performing “quests” were regular events. Student feedback from two pilot semesters and current experimental design plan will be discussed.
Proposal Track
Research Project
Start Date
3-3-2017 5:00 PM
End Date
3-4-2017 6:30 PM
Recommended Citation
Dustman, Wendy A. and Shearer, Julia, "Gamification of a Nursing Microbiology Course: Initial Impacts on Attitude, Engagement & Collaborative Learning" (2017). Interdisciplinary STEM Teaching & Learning Conference (2012-2019). 33.
https://digitalcommons.georgiasouthern.edu/stem/2017/2017/33
Gamification of a Nursing Microbiology Course: Initial Impacts on Attitude, Engagement & Collaborative Learning
Lobby
Gamification of curriculum isn’t just about using games in the classroom – it integrates game elements and game-thinking in course design to engage students, promote learning, motivate their action, and develop problem-solving skills.
Using elements of game play (experience points, quests, PvP battles, etc.), students were guided along their educational journey which was transformed to make the learning experience more compelling while encouraging development of problem-solving skills, focus, and a drive to exceed minimum goals. Rewards and incentives motivated student-players to continually improve (“level-up”) and add to the sense of enjoyment of participating.
This session describes the transformation of a traditional Nursing Microbiology course into a richer learning experience using gamification. The gamified course design was modeled after a multiplayer role-playing game (like World of Warcraft) where fighting “monsters” and performing “quests” were regular events. Student feedback from two pilot semesters and current experimental design plan will be discussed.
