5320: Applied Digital Learning Synthesis

Part A:

In this video I share my inspiring journey through the applied digital learning program at Lamar University. I discuss my passion for game design in education, the challenges I faced in aligning my vision with the curriculum, and the interdisciplinary approach I took in creating a gamified learning environment. My journey highlights the importance of detailed planning, administrative support, and embracing a growth mindset. I look forward to implementing my innovative project in classrooms in the future.

Part B:

Leveling Up Minds: A Game Designer's Approach to Education

As a game design teacher with over a decade of experience, I've always believed in the power of play to transform learning. My current mission? Spearheading a gamified blended learning project that tackles growth mindset and neuroplasticity. This isn't just about teaching game design—it's about using game design principles to reshape how students approach learning itself!

The Game Plan: Blending Mindsets and Mechanics

My Learning Manifesto lays out the blueprint for this ambitious project. By integrating game mechanics with neuroscience concepts, we're creating an immersive learning experience that doesn't just teach about growth mindset—it cultivates it through gameplay.

In our virtual learning environment, students embark on quests that challenge their perceptions of intelligence and ability. They create avatars that evolve as they tackle increasingly complex puzzles, mirroring the brain's plasticity. Each challenge completed, each skill mastered, reinforces the core message: our brains are not fixed, but constantly growing and adapting.

Player Agency: CSLE+COVA in Action

The CSLE+COVA approach (Choice, Ownership, Voice, Authentic Learning) isn't just a teaching philosophy—it's a game design principle in our project. Students have agency in choosing their learning paths, much like selecting quests in an RPG. They take ownership of their avatar's development, use their voice in collaborative missions, and engage in authentic learning through real-world game design challenges.

This approach, as highlighted in my work on instructional design strategies, fosters a classroom culture where failure is just another step towards mastery—a core tenet of both game design and growth mindset.

The Innovation Quest

My innovation plan details how we're leveling up traditional education and further refined in my Innovation Plan update in my final course. We're not just teaching game design; we're gamifying the learning process itself. Students use industry-standard tools to create mini-games that explain neuroplasticity, design user interfaces that track "mental stats," and collaborate on a class-wide MMO (Massively Multiplayer Online game) centered around overcoming learning challenges.

Building the Guild: Our Learning Community

This project isn't a solo run. I've assembled a party of educators, administrators, and game developers. Together, we're crafting this unique learning experience, overcoming obstacles, and celebrating victories. Our professional development feels like a game in itself, with each team member bringing unique skills to the table.

The Player's Handbook: Navigating Our Resources

I've organized our project resources into an interactive "Player's Handbook" on my CANVAS COURSE. Sections like "Skill Trees" (learning pathways), "Inventory" (tools and resources), and "Quest Log" (student projects) make navigation intuitive and engaging.

My blog serves as a "Developer's Diary," chronicling our project's evolution. It's a testament to our own growth mindset as educators, showcasing how we adapt and learn alongside our students.

Multiplayer Mode: Collaboration Opportunities

I'm always on the lookout for fellow educators and researchers interested in the intersection of game design, neuroscience, and education. My CANVAS COURSE  "Guildhall" (contact section) is now open for potential collaborations or just stimulating discussions about the future of gamified learning.

Easter Eggs and Power-Ups: Additional Resources

On this ePortfolio site I have also included an annotated bibliography page

The Next Level: Future Horizons

As I reflect on this journey, documented in my growth mindset reflection, I'm filled with excitement for the future. We're not just preparing students for the game industry; we're equipping them with a mindset that will serve them in any field. Looking ahead, I envision expanding our project to incorporate emerging technologies like AR and VR, creating even more immersive experiences that demonstrate the brain's incredible capacity for growth and change.

This gamified approach to learning isn't just changing how I teach—it's transforming how students perceive their own potential. In this game of education, everyone has the opportunity to level up, and the real victory is in the growth along the way. Feel free to contact me on the dedicated about me page if you want to talk more about anything on this website!