Title of the proposal
Framing Gamification: A Plan for Motivation and Retention
Bio
Dr. Ramiro de la Rosa
Dr. Ramiro de la Rosa is the Associate Director for Research Innovation in Distance Education at the Center for Online Learning and Teaching Technology at The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley. He holds a Doctor of Philosophy from Our Lady of the Lake University, a Master of Education from Texas Tech University and a Bachelor of Business Administration from Baylor University.
General description of the initiative or project
The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV), a predominantly Hispanic serving institution, has developed a framework for use in implementing gamification into courses in an effort to increase retention, engagement and motivation.
Gamification refers to the use of game design and game elements in non-game activities such as teaching and learning. The use of gamified elements such as points, badges, leaderboards and storylines can be incorporated in a micro or macro approach to online or hybrid courses. Preliminary findings at UTRGV indicates that this fairly new pedagogical approach can lead to higher retention rates, student engagement and motivation. In addition, research indicates that the use of gamification can motivate students to act or engage, with intensity and propensity, in educational activities. The key is to use a systematic, quality assured pedagogical approach to developing gamified courses. UTRGV has developed such an approach.
UTRGV Center for Online Learning and Teaching Technology staff in close collaboration with faculty developed a gamification framework. The framework was developed around the department’s blueprinting process and centered in quality assurance. In this session, we will discuss and share the gamification framework. Attendees will be able to take the gamification framework and use it at their own institutions. The session will also include a discussion on the link between gamification and student retention, engagement, and motivation.
From the onset, UTRGV assigned the necessary resources needed for the success of the project. To continue in this path, UTRGV will leverage its investment in the developed framework, instructional designers knowledge and preliminary research.
Two UTRGV Hispanic faculty will share their experiences and lessons learned when using micro and macro gamification in their online and hybrid courses. They will also share their students’ input comparing gamified courses to traditional online courses.