| Want to create a dynamic elearning course with | | | | reach it. The player's challenge is to solve a series |
| an appeal to many different kinds of learners? | | | | of problems, and complete the steps quickly and |
| Nurture the fun factor. The more exciting and | | | | efficiently. Students who are asked to conquer |
| interactive online education, the wider and more | | | | levels and solve problems in a game-like format |
| powerful its appeal. How can you go about | | | | will be more engaged and interested in the course. |
| bringing your learning content to life using an LMS | | | | But how does one actually go about creating an |
| system? | | | | LMS learning system based on a game model? |
| According to one survey, 97% of all teenagers | | | | Tell a story. Most video games begin with some |
| age 12 to 17 play video games of some sort, | | | | kind of back story or situation to get the player |
| whether it's on a console, a computer, or a cell | | | | invested in the game. Present learners with a |
| phone. And a recent AOL Games and the | | | | dialogue between two people, or a series of |
| Association Press poll suggests that 38% of | | | | images. |
| adults play computer or video games in some | | | | Creating a narrative helps to reel the learner into |
| capacity. | | | | your learning content. Be creative and let your |
| But adult gaming shouldn't necessarily be viewed in | | | | learner indulge in the story. He or she is about to |
| a negative light. The generation of men and | | | | interact with the course, and you're setting the |
| women in their 30's grew up in the video game | | | | tone for them to get started. Use visuals and |
| boom, and since then the industry has evolved | | | | dialogue. |
| with them. Grown adults aren't playing Pong | | | | Following the game model, guide your learners, |
| anymore on their Ataris. | | | | setting clear instructions about how they are |
| Today's games are much more sophisticated and | | | | meant to interact with the course. Make the |
| involved, and require thought, strategy, and | | | | method of interaction simple and consistent. |
| decision making. They're more like interactive | | | | Just as all video and computer games become |
| movies than just games. They're educational. | | | | gradually more challenging as they go, so should |
| They involve levels, points, and rewards. I think | | | | your course. Begin the course with simple tasks, |
| courseware system developers could learn | | | | and work upward from there. |
| something from the gaming industry. | | | | Additionally, be sure to include rewards, feedback, |
| Why not design an elearning course with an | | | | and motivation for students. Most computer and |
| appeal to the ever-expanding gamer | | | | video games have a system of points, lives, and |
| demographic? | | | | boosters to provide the player with a sense of |
| It's not difficult to develop courseware that takes | | | | how they're doing, as well as encourage good |
| after a video or computer game. Every game | | | | performance. Providing positive reinforcement will |
| follows a similar pattern that can be emulated in | | | | also make students' learning experience within an |
| an elearning course. | | | | LMS system rewarding, effective and fun. |
| All games have an overriding goal and steps to | | | | |