Every week we met through Twitter for # IOLchat

to discuss topical issues related to learning online. Participants include students, teachers, e-learning companies, schools, publishers and instructional designers.

Learning games are gaining ground as a way for students to interact with each other and the course content, especially in an online environment. These activities can be fun and engaging, and informative, but also present challenges in terms of design and delivery. This week we talked about gamification in online courses. Learn tips, resources and questions arose:

What is an apprenticeship to “game”? How would you describe the concept to someone new idea?

• interactive in nature, promoting learning. Creativity and logic coupling – knowledge
• Contains specific objectives, the players participation, progress toward goals, and a reward system. One way to present instructional materials that “feeds the joy” of students. can occur in many environments such as simulations, virtual labs, and interactions. learning games “promote critical thinking and reflective thought processes of a fun way.” students as players, participating in field missions to attain knowledge and skills. “Serious Games”, balance games with content learning, and achievement of learning demand. The commitment is linked to learning in this way. Gamification is defined: addition of gameplay elements of non-game events, such as the conversion of a unit or an entire course in a game.

• could be used to make learning and / or to evaluate the learning outcomes.Games can remove the “task” of learning (for example, in the tasks of recording).
• Games can make learning more accessible, although the potential to be funny or entertaining can be a deterrent in educational circles in search of more “academic” alternatives. Try removing the stigma of edutainment.

educational games you can play a role in changing education as part of a larger cultural movement for educational reform.different perspectives (students, teachers, administrators) may have different expectations for educational games – they need to be well designed and effectively

The use of technology as. used in online games, you can expect from college students who have experience in a K-12.Each school or group in making a game must do so in a way that responds to student learning, without losing the integrity of surveys – do not add a game just because it might be fun, a learning objective / purpose is necessary.Understanding the intention to develop the game and the levels of possible application of the results of learning is important.Take a look at children, and Video Games:

Why do children have to play more.

Working with experts in the field before going ahead with the development of the game. Understanding the course objectives and learning relevant, and then design around it.

Look at the common theme of the fundamental rules of the state during the creation / games -. can help to “ensure that targets” for learning.

A focus on creativity and curiosity is better than just adding “bells and whistles.”Who is the design of educational games? Given its expertise and resources ranging from games and technology for the design and teaching experience.

Find a group of educators with similar interests and ask questions!research on what is a learning game and how it differs from true learning activities and tasks with similar characteristics to the game (prizes, trial and error safe, charts, etc.)

Participate in games education who are considering. play with his own before adding to its course

Consider potential games “without reservation” in the options of pre-developed courses.Share your ideas of game-based lessons with other teachers who are interested in learning more. The GBL database of lessons is just a way to share and see what others are doing.On a broader scale, to consider games as an opportunity to develop effective learning options

“to ensure that online education is not to replicate a system that does not work.”