Faculty Development Groups
Game Based Learning (Faculty Learning Community)
The Game Based Learning Community uses game mechanics and strategies to create playful assignment prompts and activities to help faculty foster active and engaged learning into their lessons, regardless of course modality. Games provide opportunities for problem-solving, practicing emerging skills, repetition and feedback in a relaxed environment that encourages collaboration and discussion.
In this group we will explore common game mechanics such as randomization, competition, resource allocation, role-playing, puzzles, riddles and more in the context of meeting student learning outcomes. We will discuss and demonstrate activities and games developed for our own classrooms, and discuss how they may be successfully applied to other disciplines and course modalities. Tools to assist beginners and more experienced colleagues alike will be demonstrated and shared, as well as the potential use of student-generated games and game components.
Whether you are an experienced game-designer, are new to using games and playful activities in your classroom, or want ideas to get started, join us this semester as we explore this potentially powerful learning tool. We will also provide a space to plan play-testing and get feedback on your work, and discuss the potential for scholarly publication.
Learning Goals/Outcomes:
- Through participation in this community faculty will be able to identify simple game mechanics and how to apply them to a classroom activity.
- Faculty will be able create or develop an activity that addresses a student learning outcome for their course.
Download Game Based Learning (Faculty Learning Community) Poster (PDF)
About the facilitator Dr. Grace Axler-DiPerte:
Grace Axler-DiPerte is currently an Assistant Professor in the Department of Biological Sciences at Kingsborough Community College and previously received her Ph.D. from NYU, where she studied Microbiology. Since 2017 her work has included educational game design and facilitation of the Game Based Learning Faculty Interest Group, where she shares game development principles and strategies with colleagues throughout CUNY. She is also a member of the CUNY Games Network Steering Committee, helping to organize the CUNY Games Conference, an annual conference of Game Based Learning.
- For more information or to join our group please contact Grace (gaxler-diperte@kbcc.cuny.edu).