Experience Points for Learning

The use of game mechanics to foster engagement in the real-world has been gaining popularity in many fields, including education (Lee & Hammer, 2011). An innovative learning approach was designed for a graduate level course that used some of the most common game features such as experience points, levels, missions, quests, achievement badges, leaderboards, and playable action cards. In this Design-Based Research study, student perceptions of the effects of game mechanics implemented within the classroom on learning and behavior are presented. Implications for educators are also discussed.