Instructional Design Students Bring Home Wins at DevLearn Conference

Dr. Karl Kapp and Dr. Jessica Briskin of the Department of Technology, Analytics, and Workforce Learning took four students enrolled in Commonwealth University’s Master’s Degree in Instructional Technology Program to the DevLearn conference, held Oct. 25 to 27 in Las Vegas, Nev. Four students competed, and two in the program, Brittany Breland and Jessica Cebulka, won awards.

Cebulka’s “No Mythstakes” project won “Best in Show: Non-Vendor,” topping 42 other contestants. Her project showcases how games can be used in learning. The project demonstrated different e-learning platforms in five playable levels featuring gods and goddesses from ancient cultures. 
 

Breland’s “Language Leap: A German Learning Adventure” won “Best Student Project.” The game demonstrates how instructional games improve learner engagement and retention. The game blends German language learning with a storyline set in the fictional town of Lernstadt during Octoberfest. 
 

“We have had a student win an award at the Demofest for seven years in a row,” said Dr. Briskin, associate professor of technology, analytics, and workforce learning. “But this year is special because this is the first year a student from any university has won the best in show category.”
 

“During an alum lunch event, we facilitated meaningful connections between current students and graduates from our program,” said Dr. Kapp, professor of technology, analytics, and workforce learning. “It was great to engage with alumni. We even had graduates from our program from 1999 at the event.”