Game Development Reference
In-Depth Information
Most of the students were completely unaware of or inexperienced with the
MMORPG genre and felt uncomfortable with the idea of creating an avatar and
even the overall language, at first. Because of their particular definition of game
and lack of experience, certain concessions were made so that they would be able
to more comfortably approach the teaching methodology. I removed the ideas of
creating avatars and leveling up. Many of my students did not see starting off as
a level one avatar and building up from there as the development or evolution of
character, but as more of a punishment, as if they had already failed. They were
more comfortable with the idea of starting off the class with a clean slate and
seeing each grade as a success.
This need for success is also where the greatest innovation for my version of the
course came from. My students wanted to be able to see their successes and with
my own experiences with WoW and Xbox, I developed the idea to give them
achievements.
Weekly, students had the opportunity to earn several achievements based on
their online quest work for the week, forum discussion participation, and
reflective blogs. Students were only required to post an initial response to the
forum discussion and respond to two others
three total. Any number of
students could earn these as long as they contributed substantive posts.
—
Shine:
for posting 4
-
6 comments
n
9 comments
n
Mega Shine:
for posting 10 + comments a week
Super Shine:
for posting 7
-
n
Other achievements were based on the content of their posts and were far more
subjective, usually only one of each was given.
n
High 5:
This was for a comment that struck me as deserving of congratu-
lations (earning a good grade, overcoming a personal, academic, or profes-
sional hurdle, or coming to an unexpected and meaningful conclusion).
n
Hmm:
This was for a comment that they believed as a student but could
change as they became teachers.
n
Golden Apple:
For mentioning their raid/practicum experience.
n
Good Sport:
For being able to not take my devil
'
s advocate comments
personally.
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