HARRY POTTER AND THE CURSED CHILD: AN EXPERIENCE IN GAMIFICATION IN HIGHER EDUCATION

• Type: Article in International Conference Proceedings Book
• Date: 2016-11

Authors

Helena Martins (Author) FEUP; Jorge Freire de Sousa (Author) FEUP; Edgar Pacheco (Author) FEUP; Pedro Schuller (Author) FEUP; Beatriz Carrapatoso (Author) FEUP

Conference proceedings International

Title: ICERI2016 - 9th International Conference of Education, Research and Innovation

Pages: 2341-2349

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 0 Citations

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-00M-8S0

DOI: 10.21125/iceri.2016.1512

Abstract (EN): Considering the many significant challenges faced by higher education in contemporary society, gamification and game-based approaches to Education have been gaining protagonism in research as well as in practice. Application of games can encourage-or require-students to apply deeper levels of knowledge and skills, focusing their knowledge acquisition in more than simple memorization and repetition in tests, allowing them to use their new-found knowledge, skills and abilities in problem solving-even if simulated and fairly accessible ones. Unlike traditional assessments, which typically require students to recall or demonstrate basic levels of skills, games and simulations can present students with more authentic environments to demonstrate strategic and critical thinking, which is highly compatible with the "competency model". Through games, learning can also be made more of a social and collaborative activity, which are important 21st century skills. Hence, a model was developed for applying gamification in a course of Human Resources Management of a Masters in Engineering. This model was based on a state of the art research of gamification in higher education, as well as some guidelines and main features of a gamification framework. This paper presents the game system, platform and strategies implemented by the teaching team, comparing the original project with the one actually implemented. Teacher and student reflections on this experience are presented, and guidelines for future practice are brought out, including the biggest blunders and the best features of the game-based approach used in this experience, their causes and consequences. We believe this work can contribute to further game-based approaches in higher education, stimulating reflection and insight for other researchers and practitioners.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 9