Instructional Game Design

Required Courses

• IDT 553 Gamification of eLearning
• IDT 579 Instructional Game Design
• IDT 555 Scenario-Based Learning
• IDT 572 Introduction to Authoring

Elective Courses (Choose One)

• IDT 577 Advanced Authoring
• IDT 578 Advanced Authoring for Game Development

INSTTECH 553 – GAMIFICATION OF LEARNING AND INSTRUCTION
Examines the uses of game elements, game mechanics and gamification within educational learning environments. Students work with a variety of gamification tools to understand how the tools can be utilized for the design and delivery of corporate training environments, classroom instruction, online and in mobile learning environments. Aspects of gamification explored include intrinsic versus extrinsic motivation, feedback loops, the role of story and characters and the application of points, badges and leaderboards. Emphasis is given to the design, implementation, and assessment of using gamification, game elements, game mechanics and game thinking for learning.

INSTTECH 579 – INSTRUCTIONAL GAME DESIGN
Examines the theory and practice of instructional game design from the perspective of creating learning games to teach and reinforce content. Students conduct a needs analysis, produce design documents, produce prototypes, acquire sign offs on the project, and produce an instructional game. Students also evaluate the efficacy of several different types of games designed to promote learning.

INSTTECH 555 – SCENARIO-BASED LEARNING
Examines the design of scenario-based learning for instructional settings. Students work with a variety of scenario-based designs, concepts, and tools to understand how they can be utilized for the design and delivery of corporate training environments, classroom instruction, online instruction, and for mobile learning environments. Aspects of scenario-based learning explored within this course include design of challenges, creation of choices, and incorporation of consequence feedback loops, the role of story and characters, and guidelines for effective visual design of story plots. Specific emphasis is given to the design, development, and assessment of scenario-based learning.

INSTTECH 572 – INTRODUCTION TO AUTHORING
Acquaints students with authoring tools like Articulate Storyline and Adobe Captivate used to develop training applications that may be implemented online and/or by way of mobile devices. Authoring software will be used to develop interactive simulations and training module frameworks. All elements of course work are reviewed and developed with emphasis on good design, programming techniques, and learner effort. Writing code for specific applications or deployment is not a requirement or any part of this course.

INSTTECH 578 – AUTHORING FOR GAME DEVELOPMENT
This course provides an in-depth look at topics in the authoring of interactive applications with a focus on instructional game development issues. Advanced authoring software, such as Articulate Storyline or Construct 2, will be used to develop instructional games that are highly interactive and require the use of external data and complex scripting techniques.

Upon successful completion of this program, students will be able to:

1. Training Design Skills: Determine the best methods to deliver training and design effective training for gamified environments.
2. Technology Development Skills: Develop gamified technology solutions using a variety of authoring and media software.