March 25, 2010

experience points as grades

Students at several of Indiana University’s game design courses begin their class with zero “experience points,” which corresponds to an F grade. Instead of completing presentations, they’ll perform “quests;” sitting exams becomes “fighting monsters;” and handing in assignments becomes “crafting.” Students even team up into “guilds” to tackle group projects.

They’ve simply renamed tests and grades, but the idea is worth exploring.

posted by in education, games | * | 4 comments 

comments

  1. Daryl Scroggins on March 25th, 2010 at 11:44 am

    This sounds promising–but I’m glad I’ll be out of teaching by the time it really catches on: I just can’t stand all of the planned joviality involved. Like when the Boss says–Hey! We’re rolling out the latest productivity drive and it’s super! It’s now going to be fun to meet all of our production goals!!!! I guess I’m a killjoy, but the kids should just learn the stuff or fuck off, and the boss can go sit on his goddamned kazoo.

  2. Cindy Scroggins on March 25th, 2010 at 11:57 am

    That’s my guy.

  3. Dave Vogt on March 25th, 2010 at 5:01 pm

    Aside from the silly names, I feel like it changes the mindset of the student about grade points. It feels like more of an additive process where correct answers gain you credit instead of incorrect answers losing credit. It all comes out the same in the end, but maybe we feel less bad about it in the process?

    Nah, it’s still just a competition for a better spot on the curve.

  4. Life As A Videogame « Hyperbole Machine on March 27th, 2010 at 12:56 pm

    [...] From YahooGames Via Clusterflock [...]

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