Recall that one of the major benefits of using technology in the classroom is the ability to differentiate instruction to meet the needs of every student in every lesson. Just as each student grows an

Week 2 Assignment Games in the Classroom

Recall that one of the major benefits of using technology in the classroom is the ability to differentiate instruction to meet the needs of every student in every lesson. Just as each student grows and develops at different rates, research tells us that students also learn in different ways. Jane McGonagall is an expert at differentiation through the use of games, which is sometimes described as a form of gamification. As featured in her engaging TED Talk (2010), Gaming can make a better world (Links to an external site.);  she discusses gamification in classroom contexts.

Create your assignment using the content and written communication instructions below. Use the Grading Rubric to review your assignment before submission to ensure you have met the distinguished performance for each of the components described below. For additional assistance, review the Week Two Instructor Guidance page and, if needed, contact the instructor for further clarifications.

Refer to:

Week 2 Assignment Template

Compose a formal written response that addresses the following;

Content Instructions

• Gamification Influences (1 point): Evaluate the potential influences gamification can have on teaching and learning.

• Gamification and Motivation (1 point): Evaluate the science behind learner motivation and its connection with gamification.

• Differentiation Support (2 points): Analyze how gamifying supports differentiated ways to teach and learn.

• Technologies (1 point): Discuss how specific technologies and gamification are being used to enhance teaching and learning and motivate learners.

Written Communication Instructions

• Length Requirement (1 point): Five to seven pages including the title and references pages.

• Syntax and Mechanics (1 point): Display meticulous comprehension and organization of syntax and mechanics, such as spelling and grammar.

• Source Requirement (1 point): Utilize at least three sources in addition to TED (2010) video. All sources on the references page need to be used and cited correctly within the body of the assignment.

• APA Formatting (1 point): Use APA formatting consistently throughout the assignment. Refer to the Ashford University Writing Center for assistance with APA style and formatting or your copy of the APA Style Manual.

• Description:

Grading Rubric

Total Possible Score: 9.00

Total: 1.00

Distinguished - Thoroughly evaluates the potential influences gamification can have on teaching and learning. 

Proficient - Evaluates the potential influences gamification can have on teaching and learning. The evaluation is slightly underdeveloped.

Basic - Partially evaluates the potential influences gamification can have on teaching and learning. The evaluation is underdeveloped.

Below Expectations - Attempts to evaluate the potential influences gamification can have on teaching and learning; however, the evaluation is significantly underdeveloped. 

Non-Performance - The evaluation of the potential influences gamification can have on teaching and learning is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the instructions.

Total: 1.00

Distinguished - Clearly evaluates the science behind learner motivation and its connection with gamification.

Proficient - Evaluates the science behind learner motivation and its connection with gamification. The evaluation is slightly unclear.

Basic - Partially evaluates the science behind learner motivation and its connection with gamification. The evaluation is unclear.

Below Expectations - Attempts to evaluate the science behind learner motivation and its connection with gamification; however, the evaluation is significantly unclear.

Non-Performance - The evaluation of the science behind learner motivation and its connection with gamification is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the instructions.

Total: 2.00

Distinguished - Thoroughly analyzes how gamifying supports differentiation in teaching and learning.

Proficient - Analyzes how gamifying supports differentiation in teaching and learning. The analysis is slightly underdeveloped.

Basic - Partially analyzes how gamifying supports differentiation in teaching and learning. The analysis is underdeveloped.

Below Expectations - Attempts to analyze how gamifying supports differentiation in teaching and learning. The analysis is significantly underdeveloped.

Non-Performance - The analysis of how gamifying supports differentiated ways to teach and learn is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the instructions.

Total: 1.00

Distinguished - Clearly discusses how specific technologies and gamification are being used to enhance teaching and learning and motivate learners. 

Proficient - Discusses how specific technologies and gamification are being used to enhance teaching and learning and motivate learners. The discussion is slightly unclear.

Basic - Partially discusses how specific technologies and gamification are being used to enhance teaching and learning and motivate learners. The discussion is unclear.

Below Expectations - Partially discusses how specific technologies and gamification are being used to enhance teaching and learning and motivate learners. The discussion is unclear.

Non-Performance - The discussion on how specific technologies and gamification are being used to enhance teaching and learning and motivate learners is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the instructions.

Total: 1.00

Distinguished - The length of the paper is equivalent to the required number of correctly formatted pages. 

Proficient - The length of the paper is nearly equivalent to the required number of correctly formatted pages. 

Basic - The length of the paper is equivalent to at least three quarters of the required number of correctly formatted pages.

Below Expectations - The length of the paper is equivalent to at least one half of the required number of correctly formatted pages.   

Non-Performance - The assignment is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the instructions.

Total: 1.00

Distinguished - Displays meticulous comprehension and organization of syntax and mechanics, such as spelling and grammar. Written work contains no errors and is very easy to understand.

Proficient - Displays comprehension and organization of syntax and mechanics, such as spelling and grammar. Written work contains only a few minor errors and is mostly easy to understand.

Basic - Displays basic comprehension of syntax and mechanics, such as spelling and grammar. Written work contains a few errors which may slightly distract the reader.

Below Expectations - Fails to display basic comprehension of syntax or mechanics, such as spelling and grammar. Written work contains major errors which distract the reader.

Non-Performance - The assignment is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the instructions.

Total: 1.00

Distinguished - Uses more than the required number of scholarly sources, providing compelling evidence to support ideas. All sources on the reference page are used and cited correctly within the body of the assignment.

Proficient - Uses the required number of scholarly sources to support ideas. All sources on the reference page are used and cited correctly within the body of the assignment.

Basic - Uses less than the required number of sources to support ideas. Some sources may not be scholarly. Most sources on the reference page are used within the body of the assignment. Citations may not be formatted correctly.

Below Expectations - Uses an inadequate number of sources that provide little or no support for ideas. Sources used may not be scholarly. Most sources on the reference page are not used within the body of the assignment. Citations are not formatted correctly.

Non-Performance - The assignment is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the instructions.

Total: 1.00

Distinguished - Accurately uses APA formatting consistently throughout the paper, title page, and reference page.

Proficient - Exhibits APA formatting throughout the paper. However, layout contains a few minor errors. 

Basic - Exhibits limited knowledge of APA formatting throughout the paper. However, layout does not meet all APA requirements. 

Below Expectations - Fails to exhibit basic knowledge of APA formatting. There are frequent errors, making the layout difficult to distinguish as APA.

Non-Performance - The assignment is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the instructions.