GAMING THE SYSTEM

Enhancing Blended Learning

Steve ChisnellRoyal Oak High School

What is this about? Students complete the

curriculum while also participating as “players” in an online game which follows that curriculum.Higher motivationMore learning

possibilitiesDiverse learning stylesBetter online curriculum

design

The Basic Design: AP Literature

Tell the story of literary theory: how ideas about interpretation have (d)evolved

The Basic Design: AP Literature

Game Premise: The authors of the canon are being killed by mysterious forces. Protect the literary canon!

The Basic Design: AP Literature

Translation: Post-structuralist theory is undermining the concept of close analysis.

Assumptions Digital literacy is

now. Online learning is

growing reality. Learning

Management Systems (LMS) must meet our needs as students and teachers.

Needs…

More smart practice is good.

Collaboration is good. Social proof /

validation is motivator “Publication” is under-

represented Students understand

rubrics by using them

…And Necessities Growing AP

population 60100 Paper load issues Personal health

issues Digital natives in my

classroom

LMS Weaknesses

Most LMS is lameWorst of classroom“Cheating”Poor interfacesBoring work

Set-up is overwhelming

Tedium; busywork

Blended Learning Requirements Integrate online &

classroom Easier teaching

Faster eval, more work accomplished

More accessibleHomebound,

vacations, illness

Improved LearningScores up!

Deeper and different learning vs. mere entertainment

Natural or second-natureStill working on it!

Blended Learning Requirements

The Game “Role play” story

integrated into curriculum

Activities teach content and also build the storyline

Choices offer consequences to game (Choose your own Adventure)

Not Grade Pts. Experience!

Build the Storyline Grade points

Experience! Characters & names Badges Climaxes Boss battles Victories, Rewards Teamwork Competition Assignments relate to

storyline

The Battles:

Game activity scores Bragging rights, game

rewards, but not points earned.

Anonymous with game names

Blended Class

Discuss and debrief exercises – Partial flip

Discuss game strategies

Debrief and redesign game structure

Move from physical to digital and back

Effects

Quantity 2x work; 1/3 grading

QualityGrowth curve faster

Out of class “talk”

Recommendations Start slow (Beta) In-class discussion,

reviews, clues Strategy & review talks Work reviews Publish/Showcase! Collaborate! Multiple products &

methods Listen, but only mostly Experiment

Let’s keep talking! Steve Chisnell Royal Oak High School schisnell@comcast.net Twitter: @schisnell www.chisnell.com