Hey fellow Campers -
First, let me say that I’m looking forward to my first THATCamp experience!
I’m in the process of building a quest-y RPG for an Intro to Philosophy class. My institution has just signed on to a new learning management system; I was an early adopter, and am now the local admin (a long story with which I’ll likely bore some of you in MD… 
). Anyway, I’m designing the (thus far nameless) game within the strictures of a software platform intended for a much more traditional course structure, and I’m wondering whether this scenario (course game design within LMS) is common enough to generate a whole session. For me, the process has been continually challenging: some of the challenges have simply led to frustration, but others have ultimately produced some pretty epic ‘a-ha’ moments.
The proposal: a session on educational game design within learning management system software.
Tentative title: Course Game Design: LMS or DIY?
I guess I’ll kick back and see what you all think! Off to grab a snack… (apologies to J. Swift.)
This sounds like a fantastic session! While I’m not familiar with using specifically LMS platforms for games, I’ve done a fair bit of research into using general-use CMSs for ARGs (and ended up using Drupal for the first season of the Arcane Gallery of Gadgetry eduARG).
I’m love to hear ideas for embedding narrative games in current LMSs. Out of curiosity–what LMS does your institution use?
Hi Amanda -
I’m a HUGE fan of the AGG! Had I but worlds enough and time, I’d love to develop something so robust and rich for my course. Maybe eventually. For now, anyway, I’m considering my project a first draft, and my Spring 2012 students unwitting guinea pigs… My college now uses Instructure’s Canvas platform, after a long dalliance with Blackboard Vista.
–
G
Oh yes — I’m very interested in ARGs as a low(er) tech opportunity for students to get in to game design.
Cool!
Leave it to you to be the first poster!
This sounds amazing! I would absolutely be there!
Like Amanda, I am also curious as to what LMS you guys use.
~Emily
Salve!
Instructure’s Canvas is the platform my institution has adopted.
Ahhh Ok! Cool, thanks!
Looking forward to your session. I am so there!
Come to our BootCamp too! I have a feeling that these two will work in tandem nicely….
~Emily
I’m interested in developing a game for our Academic Writing course, so, another Introduction course, and, specifically for our pilot of the course in a blended/hybrid format — so game design that used the LMS would be ideal. UM is adopting a new LMS in July 2012, and my course this spring is part of the pilot for that new LMS (I’m not supposed to announce which LMS it is, but *maybe* it’s the same one you’re using) — so I’d be very interested in this session.
Nifty! I know I need some good ideas myself at this point, so I’ll be psyched to mind-meld with you on some of the nuts-’n'-bolts stuff of doing a hybrid intro course.
I teach writing in a community college, so I’m interested in anything that will motivate my students to write. We’re adopting Blackboard in the fall. I’m also looking forward to Emily and Roger et al’s BootCamp. I’m a real n00b though!
Ooh, my condolences on your upcoming Blackboard experience…
Oh no! It just has to be better than Campus Cruiser! (please let it be better, please, please, please. . .)
I can’t wait to talk you about my own Plato/Aristotle ARG/RPG–students have to infiltrate the Academy and then the Lyceum. The text-based simulation starts to collapse around them at the end. . .
Absolutely! SO looking forward to it…
I love the idea of embedding games in LMSs – definitely interested to see what you are doing with it. Especially since I’ve not had much fun with LMSs, it would be neat to see other ways to use them. Especially if it is an RPG/ARG! (I <3 ARGs)
It’s sure been a roller coaster – there are definite limitations inherent in the format, but I think that it’s possible to bypass or surpass many of them in some creative ways. This is my first foray into the format, so I’m expecting to learn much more from others than I teach – but the sharing of my experiences may at least serve as a launchpad for some good discussion.
Sounds fascinating…I would love to see how you’ve designed the instructional units in the LMS (I am a philosophy prof, and am considering doing a games-based ethics course). And Roger’s ARG on Plato/Aristotle sounds very intriguing…lots of great stuff to discuss!
It’ll be great to see a fellow philosophy prof there. Looking forward to talking! Safe travels.