Are you interested in Game Based Learning? I’m sure that you will have heard the term Gamification or Game Based Learning at some point over the last few months. Most of us have a smart phone or tablet device and have a PC at home. You will probably have played a computer game at some point in the last few months!
I’m regularly asked by people to help on their Game Based Learning projects so I’m going to share some of the advice and tips that I give to people who want to get involved in Game Based Learning….and remember it’s not all about leaderboards, wizards and rewards systems!
 

1. Play some games
You need to play some games.

If you have a tablet, smart phone, PC, Mac or console I suggest that you get hold of some games and play them. You can get some games for free and this will allow you to play a really good range of games. When I started testing console games they were £40!

Pick a good range of games from different genres, not just games that you will like. Try and get something from sports, puzzle, action, family, adventure, social, multiplayer and create a list of what you like about the games. Try to think like a reviewer and game designer! You need to get started with your game testing.

Look at the interface, how is the game working? What do you think about the interface? Is the game easy to use? Was it easy to use? Does the game use a narrative?

My all time favourite game: Bubble Bobble! Brilliant level design, easy to use, great co-operation with another player, allows progression within the game, includes secret level (exploration)
 

2. Speak to Game Designers
We use game designers in our game based learning projects. We have a team that combines elearning designers and game designers. I suggest that you speak to a game designer so you can understand how game design and game theory works. Game designers understand game theory and design and will have a different perspective on presenting your content. A lot of universities have a game degrees courses – think about speak to them if you want more information.

3. Freshen up your elearning courses – improve your instructional design
Game design and game based learning can be very subtle. You don’t need to start sticking reward systems and leaderboards everywhere! You can apply game theory to your instructional design and graphic design – we’ve worked with elearning teams to freshen up their designs and provide them with some new ideas that they can use in their courses.

Modern games use exploration and recovery – do you use that in you elearning courses? Do you lock out learners if they get a test wrong? Do you allow learners to move freely around content? What navigational model do you use?

Game designers often use a narrative as the basis for their game – do you on your courses?

4. Don’t try to replicate Angry Birds – understand game design costs
A lot of people have played Angry Birds, Fifa or Sim City. These are known as Triple AAA titles with big budgets. These games have budgets running into millions and are developed year on year with new versions and game packs being produced and released.  You need to be realistic about what you can develop and what your budget is.

5. Read and watch videos
There are some great publications and videos that you can watch to help your understanding of games and games based learning. Some of my favourites are Games Brief – the business of games.
Jane McGongal is one of the leaders in game design and she designs Alternate Reality Games that tackle real-life health challenges like depression, anxiety, chronic pain and traumatic brain injury. We’ve shared some whitepapers, example games and design documents at Game Based Learning Resources

I also like the Game Based Learning Group on linkedin, it has some good discussions and is an active group.

Conclusion
Game Based Learning and game design are another resource that you can use in your learning mix. Don’t forget that you can use game design techniques in your elearning design!

Have you produced a game based learning resource? How did you project go? What do you think about game based learning and gamification?
 

By Scott Hewitt – Real Projects Creative elearning solutions