Handout from the talk Points that matter: How to gamify your KET class. TESOL Spain 37th Annual Convention: 21st Century Teaching on the move.

1. Points that matter
How to gamily a KET class
Luisa María Palacios Maroto

2. What is
gamification?

3. What is a game?
A game is a system in which players
engage in an abstract challenge
defined by rules, interactivity and
f e e d b a c k , t h a t r e s u lt s i n a
q u a nt if i a b le o u tco m e o ft e n
eliciting an emotional reaction.
A Theory of fun
Raph Koster

4. system:
a
series
of
interconnected elements which
frame the situation.
players: in our context we will
remember that our players are
“learners”
abstract challenge: there must be
something that the players want
to achieve and win, usually with
a reward.

5. rules: they show what is acceptable or
not in the game and how to achieve
the challenge.
interactivity: it is a part of the game
and it contributes to the fun.
feedback: either instant or delayed,
it will help the players to change any
behaviour that is not acceptable in
the game and reinforce the positive
one.

6. quantifiable outcome: this will
help to decide how well a player
has done in the game and to
choose a winner.
emotional reaction: not only at
the end of the game, but during
it, players will face frustration,
happiness, anger…

7. Ok, that’s nice
but
what is
GAMIFICATION?

8. Gamification is using gamebase d mechanics, aes thetics
and game thinking to engage
p e o p le , m ot i vat e act i o n,
promote learning and solve
problems.
Wikipedia

9. Where can I find
examples of
gamification?

11. Theory of Fun

12. So… is playing a game
gamifying my class?

14. Game
Gamification
The game is the end
The game element is the
process for a purpose
Intrinsic motivation
No extrinsic motivation
Intrinsic motivation
Extrinsic motivation
Restricted application
Applied in your normal
life
It may/may not change
behavior of the player
It intends to change the
behavior of the player

15. Purpose
Gamification
Serious games
No
Gameplay
Gameplay
Gameful Design
Games
Fun

16. Why should I gamify my class?

17. It promotes Social Learning.
It is based on extrinsic motivation.
It shows scaffolded learning.
It fosters positive behaviour.
It evokes episodic memory.

18. How I gamified my
KET class
All my mistakes
and some right decisions

19. Set a goal
Pass Cambridge English: Key exam.
Improve linguistic competence of
my students.
Increase motivation of the weaker
students.

20. Study the teaching
situation
Where am I
teaching?
Who are my
students?
Will they like this
experience?
Will the parents
agree with it?

21. Set an objective
I mean… a realistic objective
and investigate

22. I don’t want
to discourage
you…
But it’s now
when the
REAL hard
work begins

23. Set a story
It will be the
background for the
task.
It has to be
interesting.
Distribute roles to
the students.

24. This is what I
thought
Far far away, there is a place where a sleeping dragon
dominates the land. This dragon’s name is KET. It wakes
up every June and many warriors try to defeat it.
!
The land of the three kingdoms is a magical place. There
are many knights and ladies willing to defeat KET, but
they are not prepared yet. The Black Witch will help them
to prepare for the battle and defeat KET.
!
Are you ready to live the adventure?

25. Set the rules
How and when are you going to play?
Which behaviours are acceptable and
which not?
How are you going to modify the
rules if necessary?
How long will the game be?
Don’t make many, and be ready to
change them a few times

26. Where are you going
to play your game?
Only in class?
Only online?
A mixture?
Each one has
advantages and
disadvantages.
The decision is
not easy.

27. Just online
Classroom
Blending
Online+classroom
Do your students
have the
necessary skills?
Is it very time
consuming?
What permissions
do I need?
How do you
integrate it in
the class?
What kind of
parents
permissions do I
need?
What time should
Will all students
I devote to the
be engaged?
activity?
Will it slow
down the class
pace?
Will all students
be engaged?

28. Set a reward
system
How to win and lose points?
What is the finality of the points?
Are points the only possible reward?

29. Make provision of
tasks
General tasks.
Extra challeng e s:
for specific dates.
Don’t focus on only
exam-type exams,
this has to be fun!

30. Personalization
Set specific
challenges for
students who need
more help or want
more.
Recognize
exceptional work
with points.

31. Big mistakes I made
And that you should avoid
I didn’t
tasks.
make
provision
of
The way I sorted out students
led to demotivation of some of
them.
Not all of the students were
ICT competent.

32. All in all…
I think it was worthy

33. Useful tools

34. Conclusions
G r e at s t u d e nt s
engagement.
Parents’ involment.
Huge load of work.
Much more
points
leaderboards.
than
and

35. To know more…

36. luisapalacios@myenglishcorner.net
http:/
/threeenglishkingdoms.blogspot.com.es
http:/
/myenglishcorner.net