Stories from the Herald & Guardian: Utilizing Simulations, Role-Playing, Storytelling, and Games in Teaching

Concurrent Session 2
Streamed Session

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Brief Abstract

Stay a while, and listen to our tale across multiple gameful projects as we share where our stories intersect and what we’ve learned from our journey. From simulations in undergraduate courses to role-playing in professional development, we wish to inform and inspire others looking for the call to adventure.

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Presenters

Lead Presenter: Keegan Long-Wheeler, University of Oklahoma

Keegan Long-Wheeler is an educational technologist in the Office of Digital Learning at the University of Oklahoma. Keegan uses his background in science, pedagogy, and technology to provide instructors with holistic solutions to their instructional and technological needs. Additionally, Keegan passionately creates open source professional development curriculum to engage faculty in digital literacy, experiential learning, game design, coding, and more! In particular, Keegan loves working with Domain of One's Own projects and his open professional development programs: GOBLIN, eXperience Play, WebFest, Canvas Camp, and more!

Co-presenter: Adam Croom, University of Oklahoma

Adam Croom is a faculty member in the Strategic Communication area of the Gaylord College of Journalism and Mass Communication. Croom also serves the university in a separate capacity as the Director of the Office of Digital Learning. Croom completed his Masters at Pepperdine University where he studied education and learning technologies. His research focused on networked approaches to online learning in public relations design courses.

Extended Abstract

Teaching students how to manage systems of data has been better through experience than exposition. Executing on strategies and navigating unforeseen road blocks. Building community among instructors using shared challenges has been a phenomenal way to insight growth. Wielding curiosity through roleplaying in a fantasy world has been a great way to inspire intrinsic learning. Introducing fun into our work has helped us connect with learners and enjoy our work all the more. These are only a few of the insights we wish to share with others engaging in online learning. We hope, by showcasing our gameful assignments and learning communities, we can inform and inspire you to introduce new methods into your own courses and professional development.

During this session the presenters will share and contrast their experiences with simulations, role-playing games, and storytelling across many environments, including undergraduate courses, professional development, and online communities. For instance, attendees will see a recent implementation of a simulation for an entrepreneurship project in an undergraduate course where students competed in developing businesses. Comparing and contrasting this higher education project with various gameful professional development programs previously hosted by the presenters, we wish to share the range of insights we’ve collected from the intersections of our journeys.

Lastly we’ll discuss the impact of our journey in our professional lives. In particular, how our work is more fulfilling and fun through the student engagement and teaching we experienced.

Participants will leave having an introductory look at various gameful programs, engagement statistics from different projects, and research collected by the presenters.

We offer you our stories as you embark on your own journey. Stay a while, and listen to our tale.