Approximate Reading Time: 2 minutesI’m just about to start term with a gamified course. I’ve been developing this design for a number of years now and thought I’d provide a bit of a journal on what we I am doing and how it’s going. My … Continue reading
Approximate Reading Time: 3 minutesCame across this: Why I’m Asking You Not to Use Laptops – Lingua Franca – Blogs – The Chronicle of Higher Education. I suspect it is because we are starting a new school year that this topic is popping up a … Continue reading
Approximate Reading Time: 2 minutesI came across this article: “Sorry, I’m Not Taking This Test” | Mother Jones. We don’t seem to be quite as maniacal about it in Canada, but standardized testing has spread like an epidemic in the US. Without the proper perspective … Continue reading
Approximate Reading Time: 3 minutesAPA Says Video Games Make You Violent, but Critics Cry Bias. It’s disappointing, but really not surprising to see the APA come out with a pronouncement like this. It is pretty clear that the approach was (as it often … Continue reading
Approximate Reading Time: 2 minutesAn article about how a “gamified” interface to campus life is supposed to help low-income students (can you tell I’m skeptical?). Here’s what they do: Give out points and badges for doing stuff. Reward competing against their fellow students to earn … Continue reading
Approximate Reading Time: 2 minutesStudies on the use of reinforcement have shown that unpredictable reinforcement schedules lead to behavior changes that persist the longest. Since games are driven by cycles of player actions and corresponding feedback, is it possible to provide unpredictable reinforcement in … Continue reading
Approximate Reading Time: < 1 minuteWhy are we in such a rush? It takes time to grow up and some things (perhaps even most things) need time to sink in. We need time to form new neural connections. Curiously, at the same time we are … Continue reading
Approximate Reading Time: 2 minutesPut simply, the Proteus Effect happens when an avatar behaves in line with the stereotype suggested by the appearance of that avatar. In other words players behave in the ways the appearance of their avatar suggests they should. How realistic does an avatar … Continue reading