Student Perceptions

We examined student perceptions of an achievement system used in Adventures in Emerging Media, a novel online course design that allows students to choose what topics they wish to learn in an attempt to acquire their dream job from a fictional media CEO. Modeled after the achievement systems used in contemporary video game platforms, this system rewarded students for completing both standard course requirements, as well as performance considered above and beyond minimal requirements. Students responded to Likert-scale survey questions asking them to assess how much of an impact achievements had on their effort and performance. Results indicate an overall positive response towards the use of achievements.