Winning is Infectious: Gamifying Public Health Teaching and Using Team Challenges to Drive Engagement
Lead Author: Dr Katie C Smith
Additional authors:
Timetable: ,
Description:
This session will provide examples of approaches to teaching that make use of existing resources and apply gamifying techniques to improve engagement and consolidate learning of complex topics. Using a specific teaching scenario (a half day teaching session on infectious disease, outbreak control, and public health for approximately 40 students), we will consider how to approach the design and delivery of the learning, including the environment and resources. The session uses a team-based, gameshow approach, building in a variety of activities that can earn students points, through written, verbal and task based answers, and culminating in a final race to be the winning team.
• Session Delivery: We will explore how to design an extended learning session, including the learning environment and session structure. We will particularly consider how to effectively engage a large number of students simultaneously, approaches to initiating the session that encourage early interaction, and then maintaining ongoing engagement across several hours of learning.
• Resources: There will be examples of both high-tech and low-tech resources that can be used for implementing this type of session, from flipchart paper and pens to card games, online simulations, and case studies. We will also consider what presentation style can help educators to promote the activities, effectively teach the concepts, and engage the students.
• Efficiency: We will also think about how to ensure session design is innovative but feasible by thinking broadly about where to find existing resources that are relevant to the topics being taught. Particularly in the context of online games and board games, we will explore how using readily accessible materials that support learning can make sessions fun, whilst reinforcing fundamental concepts in new ways.
• Competition: The session will also describe approaches to gamifying teaching using team-based competitions. It includes how to design this to ensure it includes learners who participate in a variety of styles, and doesn’t only reward the more confident students. We will also consider how to promote collaboration as well as competition, ways to introduce strategic thinking, and the all-important question of prizes.
ways to introduce strategic thinking, and the all-important question of prizes.
• Potential Pitfalls: There will also be honest discussions about the concerns and challenges when implementing this style of session, when it might be less effective, and opportunities to consider proactive ways to solve problems and navigate difficulties.
References, web links and other resources:
Singhal, Shabnam & Hough, Josephine & Cripps, David. (2019). Twelve tips for incorporating gamification into medical education. MedEdPublish. 8. 10.15694/mep.2019.000216.1.
Winning is Infectious: Gamifying Public Health Teaching and Using Team Challenges to Drive Engagement
Lead Author: Dr Katie C Smith
Additional authors:
Timetable: ,
Description:
This session will provide examples of approaches to teaching that make use of existing resources and apply gamifying techniques to improve engagement and consolidate learning of complex topics. Using a specific teaching scenario (a half day teaching session on infectious disease, outbreak control, and public health for approximately 40 students), we will consider how to approach the design and delivery of the learning, including the environment and resources. The session uses a team-based, gameshow approach, building in a variety of activities that can earn students points, through written, verbal and task based answers, and culminating in a final race to be the winning team.
• Session Delivery: We will explore how to design an extended learning session, including the learning environment and session structure. We will particularly consider how to effectively engage a large number of students simultaneously, approaches to initiating the session that encourage early interaction, and then maintaining ongoing engagement across several hours of learning.
• Resources: There will be examples of both high-tech and low-tech resources that can be used for implementing this type of session, from flipchart paper and pens to card games, online simulations, and case studies. We will also consider what presentation style can help educators to promote the activities, effectively teach the concepts, and engage the students.
• Efficiency: We will also think about how to ensure session design is innovative but feasible by thinking broadly about where to find existing resources that are relevant to the topics being taught. Particularly in the context of online games and board games, we will explore how using readily accessible materials that support learning can make sessions fun, whilst reinforcing fundamental concepts in new ways.
• Competition: The session will also describe approaches to gamifying teaching using team-based competitions. It includes how to design this to ensure it includes learners who participate in a variety of styles, and doesn’t only reward the more confident students. We will also consider how to promote collaboration as well as competition, ways to introduce strategic thinking, and the all-important question of prizes.
ways to introduce strategic thinking, and the all-important question of prizes.
• Potential Pitfalls: There will also be honest discussions about the concerns and challenges when implementing this style of session, when it might be less effective, and opportunities to consider proactive ways to solve problems and navigate difficulties.
References, web links and other resources:
Singhal, Shabnam & Hough, Josephine & Cripps, David. (2019). Twelve tips for incorporating gamification into medical education. MedEdPublish. 8. 10.15694/mep.2019.000216.1.