The Non-Gamer’s Guide to Gamifying

the Classroom
Andrew Arevalo
Sunday, January 27th
8:00 a.m.
@Gameboydrew
 Session Goals
• Have some fun
• Deconstruct the myths
surrounding the use of games in
the classroom
• Learn the fundamentals of
gamification and game-based
learning (GBL)
• Identify the design process/parts
of a game
• Play an original classroom game
that my students and I co-created
Multiplication Rock-Paper-Scissors
 Top Myths
1. Gamification and GBL are the same thing.
2. You must pick between gamification or GBL.
3. I give my students points, so I use gamification.
4. It won’t work for the grade-level/discipline I teach.
5. You need to be a gamer to gamify your classroom.
6. The edu product I am using fosters GBL.
 What is Gamification?
Applying the best parts of games to non-
game settings as a form of motivation

Squads Levels

Story Loot
Examples
 What it Looks Like
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2lXh2n0aPyw&t=6s
What is Game-Based Learning?
Examples
 What it Looks Like
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5F6QYUd6bHI
Round 1
T
O
O
L
S
Institute of Play
 Core Mechanics
What actions or moves (i.e., verbs) are used to play the game?
• The core mechanics of the game must be aligned to the learning
objective/outcome in order to foster GBL.
• The objective of TMB is to foster number sense (i.e., fluidity and flexibility with #’s).
• The core mechanics of TMB are adding, subtracting, multiplying, dividing,
manipulating digits in a number for place value, etc.
 Goal
How does a player/team win?
The player with the most points at
the end of the game wins.
 Components
What are the items needed to play?
Deck of TMB cards, dice, paper to keep track
of points, and something to write with
 Rules
What relationships define what a
player can and cannot do in the game?
 Challenge
What obstacles are in the way of a player reaching the goal?
The main obstacle is players acquiring cards that inflict damage (i.e.,
stealing points, swapping points, etc.).

Steal 1 digit from any team (e.g., Reset the game - all teams Select a team to lose half of Clones the last card that
place value, subtraction, etc.) go to 0 (subtraction) their points (division) was played (fun)
 Space
Where does the game take place?
 Experience
Observe
Question

Evaluate Analyze
Assess Deconstruct
Question Map/Diagram

Implement Theorize
Perform Predict
Analyze Interpret
(Institute of Play)

Test Build
Observe Model
Analyze Modify
 My Process
# Values and
Mechanics

+
Core

Problem Number Sense

Reflect Brainstorm Student-Created

Play-Test Prototype TMB

 Resources
Blog
• gameboydrew.com

Twitter Chats
• #XPLAP (Explore Like a Pirate) -Tuesdays @ 7:00 p.m.
• #games4ed - Thursdays @ 5:00 p.m.

Twitter Edu Gamifiers

• @HeckAwesome (Carrie Baughcum)
• @tishrich (Tisha Richmond)
• @mpilakow (Melissa Pilakowski)
• @irvspanish (Glen Irvin)
 Let’s Play
• With your friends, get in a group of 2-4. (You are allowed to move
and rearrange yourselves.)
• Go to www.tmbgame.com (Click on rules.)
• Select a person to be the Banker. This person will keep track of the
points throughout the game on the Official TMB scoresheet.
• The Banker will then start the game by passing out 5 cards to
every player. The remaining cards should be placed face-down, to
form the "draw" pile.
• The person sitting to the right of the Banker gets to go first. From
here, players will drop a card and pick up a card from the top,
middle, or bottom of the "draw" pile. The player with the most
points at the end of the game wins.
@Gameboydrew