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A Gamification Framework for Exploratory Learning in Higher STEM Education

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Conference

2023 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Location

Baltimore , Maryland

Publication Date

June 25, 2023

Start Date

June 25, 2023

End Date

June 28, 2023

Conference Session

Framework Studies

Tagged Division

Educational Research and Methods Division (ERM)

Page Count

13

DOI

10.18260/1-2--42400

Permanent URL

https://peer.asee.org/42400

Download Count

356

Paper Authors

biography

Yan Shi University of Wisconsin - Platteville

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Dr. Yan Shi is currently a Professor in the Software Engineering Program at University of Wisconsin-Platteville. She received her PhD in Computer Science from The University of Texas at Dallas in 2011. Her research interests include software engineering, data engineering, machine learning and engineering education.

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Kyle S Horne University of Wisconsin - Platteville

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Yanwei Wu UW Platteville

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Abstract

One important goal of higher education is to teach students to become a lifelong learner. A common way to do so is to ask students to explore relevant topics/techniques beyond the basic concepts and assignments within a course. Instructors often find it difficult to motivate students to do this additional work. In this paper, we present a gamification framework with a focus on encouraging exploratory learning in college-level STEM courses. The framework also helps with improving inclusion and student engagement. This framework gives a detailed guideline on how to convert a course into a role playing (RPG) game, including the type of story lines that will interest students, the design of a game store with different rewards to motivate students’ participation and various types of quests with different exploratory learning objectives. The paper will also include detailed case studies on gamifying three STEM courses from different disciplines: a Software Engineering course, a Mechanical Engineering course and a Computer Science course. We will evaluate student feedback, summarize common findings, and propose future improvements.

Shi, Y., & Horne, K. S., & Wu, Y. (2023, June), A Gamification Framework for Exploratory Learning in Higher STEM Education Paper presented at 2023 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition, Baltimore , Maryland. 10.18260/1-2--42400

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