Professor Uses RPG-like Exp Rather Than Grades
A professor is addressing the "gamer generation."
Lee Sheldon of Bloomington's Indiana University is using an experience point (XP) system rather than the traditional grading method in two of his game design classes. Borrowing from RPGs and MMORPGs, students begin the program with an avatar at level one. To gain experience, students must complete assignments camouflaged as RPG-based tasks such as quests, crafting, and more. In real life, they're making presentations, taking quizzes, and doing all that other boring school-related work.
According to Sheldon, students are grouped into guilds, and must complete "quests" as a solo adventurer or within "pick up groups" with other guild members. Is this working? Sheldon thinks so, saying the overall feedback is far more enthusiastic than previous grading methods. He's even revised elements of the class so that they're understandable and associated with fun.
But not every student is on board with the XP system. "There will always be a portion of the class who will not be motivated to learn no matter what an instructor may try," he told ITNews. "Those that are not as involved, one or two out of a class of forty, are pretty much drifting through life anyway thanks to factors the classroom can't really address."
Sheldon's comments stem from a recent ITNews article that focuses on the "gamer generation" entering the workforce. It's suggested that employers look to gaming to motivate their employees, and offer "gamer rewards" to boost employee engagement. "Clearly defined goals and fair, incremental rewards are two game design techniques that could motivate the 'gamer generation' in the workforce," he said.
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You automatically start off with +10 dorkiness in your stats
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DING! 80th Grade! Oh wait, I had purchased the Chinese Power Level from website. LOL
Wow are things really this bad? at-least enough to where people need to get xp in order to find motivation?
I wonder if you can pickup some Epic loot from completing a raid...
This is actually a very good idea, until of course, they enter college and start gaining experience while simultaneously missing their achievements.
Behold my netbook of chemistry +2.
Now that is cool! I wish they would implement this at my university! ^_^
Education isn't meant to be fun. Because you're brain isn't actually "recording" anything when you're having fun. It's when you're stressed, when you're brain is 50 % working and memorizing everything.
Do I get a "Demolition Expert" Trophy for ruining the class curve?
So it's almost exactly like the anime Baka to Test to Shōkanjū
YES!!! This is freaking awesome! If they had this in high school, students would do so much better.
This is actually a very good idea, until of course, they enter college and start gaining experience while simultaneously missing their achievements.
They are already in college
Education isn't meant to be fun. Because you're brain isn't actually "recording" anything when you're having fun. It's when you're stressed, when you're brain is 50 % working and memorizing everything.
Did you ever wondered why children and even kitties are playful? Or you did not learn about this because you were stressed at the time?
Give this guy an award!!!
Thanks for the trip down memory lane, Kev. I remember when I read about this several hours ago on slashdot.
Yeah and for $1000 you can probably "buy" a high level character right away, just like with WoW. :-)
Education isn't meant to be fun. Because you're brain isn't actually "recording" anything when you're having fun. It's when you're stressed, when you're brain is 50 % working and memorizing everything.
Yea cause kids are SOOOOO stressed out those first 5-7 years when they are learning a HUGE amount just playing. Don't even need any tests, kids learn by playing not by being stressed and it is the same with adults, you pay more attention and are more likely to remember things when you like what you are doing.
This is a collage class... in game design... if you don't want to design games, you're not in that class. It's not math or lit or world history, they're in that class because they want to be
Education isn't meant to be fun. Because you're brain isn't actually "recording" anything when you're having fun. It's when you're stressed, when you're brain is 50 % working and memorizing everything.
So thats why I couldnt memorize plays for sports. Or remember that an elbow to the groin was a foul. I was having too much fun and not enough stress. You sir are an idiot. And the best part is, you wont be to stressed when reading this, so you wont remember anything I said.
I think it's fine and great.
Wow are things really this bad? at-least enough to where people need to get xp in order to find motivation?
Well how would you motivate students? Blow Jobs? Hand Jobs? ...wait, that might not be a bad idea. Sign me up!!
Behold my netbook of chemistry +2.
LOL!
I wonder though: The XP gained in an RPG game is not really the goal, but it is only a means to an end, i.e., leveling up, increasing stats, new abilities, etc. In what way does the XP in the class aid the student other than "upping" their grade? Do they get access to better resources? Rights to cut in line? Longer deadlines for completing assignments? If there are no tangible benefits to higher XP, then simply increasing the grade is not enough to differentiate the XP system from any other "point system" that has been used in determining grades since the invention of the grade book. Just calling it "experience points" instead of "grade points" is a thin veil any real gamer would see through in an instant.
Thanks for the trip down memory lane, Kev. I remember when I read about this several hours ago on slashdot.
That was mean... but funny
I think the best way to gain experience in this class would be to hide in the forest and kill boars for +2 EXP each. then when we've leveled up enough we can take down the evil guy
I almost just cried when I read this
When I glanced at the title I thought it said, "Professor Uses RPG-like Exp Rather Than Grenades." With me thinking of RPG as the Soviet RPG-7 and 'Exp' as explosive. I guess no more COD4 for a while now. :S
Well how would you motivate students? Blow Jobs? Hand Jobs? ...wait, that might not be a bad idea. Sign me up!!
That is wrong on so many levels.... and I don't mean RPG levels, it's not like you get to level 30 and suddenly it isn't wrong anymore because you have gained the ability to make the "anti-aids potion"
Roflcopter time!
Any wonder why America's education system, rub by tree hugging hippy liberals, is declining? Any at all? If so, just read this nonsense.
Education isn't meant to be fun. Because you're brain isn't actually "recording" anything when you're having fun. It's when you're stressed, when you're brain is 50 % working and memorizing everything.
HAHAH! Have fun trying to get your grade schooler to do their work with that mentality! It has been proven over and over again that when something is entertaining to a person they pay more attention. Want proof? ask any 3rd grader about their favorite cartoon and be amazed at how much they can recall off the top of their head.
Probably nothing more than just another attempt to motivate student with something they can relate to.
So thats why I couldnt memorize plays for sports. Or remember that an elbow to the groin was a foul. I was having too much fun and not enough stress. You sir are an idiot. And the best part is, you wont be to stressed when reading this, so you wont remember anything I said.
Well said, good sir.