Motivating students to immerse themselves in course material and understand its relevance can sometimes be a challenge. Instructors looking for ways to actively engage students in course content may consider adding immersive, game-based pedagogies to their repertoires.
Boise State’s Center for Teaching and Learning invites faculty to join a new faculty learning community, Gaming in the Classroom, which is designed to introduce various pedagogical options — such as Reacting to the Past — for gamifying parts of or all courses. Sessions will include gaming options; how to facilitate and troubleshoot games; how to encourage student involvement; and how to run games for all levels of students.
The history department’s Lisa McClain and Dane Johns from University Foundations will co-facilitate this community. The members of this faculty learning community will be expected to do the following:
1. Attend four cohort meetings: Fridays, Feb. 15, March 8, April 5 and May 3 from 1:30-3:30 p.m. in River Front Hall, room 301.
These sessions will provide the opportunity for participants to share what they have learned through the activities of the learning community. Participants are expected to attend these hands-on learning sessions.
2. Submit a short reflection on implementing gaming in the classroom or plans to implement gaming in the classroom using Google Forms.
3. Respond to a survey at the end of the semester to assess satisfaction with and perceived value of the experience.
Faculty who complete the above expectations by the end of the program will receive a $125 stipend.
Complete the application to participate in the Gaming in the Classroom Faculty Learning Community.