Gamified Grading in stem class
Before reading this page, if you have not read the XP Page explanation, please go read that first. That will help you understand this page better.
Explaining gamified grading using XP
At the core of any XP system is the concept that the more you work, the more you learn the more XP you earn. It's not necessarily always based on what you do "right" - it's based on what you learn. It's also about CHOICE. In most video games that involve XP, if you don't get a lot doing one thing, you have the ability to go and earn XP doing something else. If you are willing to put in the time, effort and energy, you can earn XP to level up. So, that is what we are going to apply here in our classroom.
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Earning XPFor starters, if you read the page on XP, you know how you can earn XP for each assignment. And as it says at the bottom of that page, you can NEVER LOSE XP once you have earned it. That means you grade will NEVER go down. However, that means that it also may not go UP as much as you may want it to go. Let me explain.
Let's say that you have an assignment that is worth 50 XP max, and right now you have a total of 0 XP so far. On the assignment, you don't do your best, and I give what you did a total of 38 XP. That means that you have earned 38 XP. You SHOULD NOT look at this as if you got a 38/50. You should look at this as if you earned 38 points for what you did right on the assignment.... |
Leveling UPSo you got 38 XP on an assignment. What does this mean......?
Like in video games, the more XP you earn, the more you level. And in our classroom, the more you level, the higher your grade goes. It's as simple as that. Roughly put, every 40 XP allows you to level up, and each level is about 2% for your grade. Yes, you may not earn the max XP on an assignment, but you earned XP that allows you to get closer to leveling up. And I CANNOT take that XP from you - you already earned it. So as the trimester goes along, you will do assignments, and those assignments will continue to earn you XP. The more XP you earn, the more you level up. The more you level up, the higher your grade will go. And all along the way you know that making mistakes, or what some like me call learning, will not hurt your grade. |
Student Choice - earning XP through epic quests
In our STEM classroom, every student will learn material from 4 different modules. Each module has 10 Days of things to do as well as 2 writing assignments, 2 knowledge Quests and 1 Design Brief. So no matter what Module you are working on, everyone will have to do these assignments as part of the "Core Quest," and these will give them XP.
But outside of these assignments, you have some choices to earn XP. These assignments, which I call EPIC QUESTS, are ways for you to do things that will earn you XP outside of the standard in-class activities. Ultimately, you can choose to do these assignments, or you can choose not to do them. But I will guarantee you this - if you do not do any of the Epic Quests out there you will not earn an A in the course. It's as simple as that. So right now, Let's take a look at some of the Epic Quests you can choose to do:
But outside of these assignments, you have some choices to earn XP. These assignments, which I call EPIC QUESTS, are ways for you to do things that will earn you XP outside of the standard in-class activities. Ultimately, you can choose to do these assignments, or you can choose not to do them. But I will guarantee you this - if you do not do any of the Epic Quests out there you will not earn an A in the course. It's as simple as that. So right now, Let's take a look at some of the Epic Quests you can choose to do:
Supplemental Assignments I & II
Often times you will find yourself done with some work early or that you have nothing to do in class while something is happening. This is when you can spend time working on a Supplemental Quest. This Quest has you simply choose to do something from a list I provide during this down time (though you can also work on it at home). This Quest is one where you can work a little here and a little there over a period of about a month in order to finish it.
Trimester HW Assignment
The Trimester HW Quest is one where you can work on something the entire Trimester and turn it in whenever you finish. The goal of this assignment is to use your creative STEM brain in order to invent, change, adjust or alter something. I want you to use the engineering process in order to come up with something that makes life even better for you or other people.
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Internet Article/TV Show Review
Yep. I want you to either read an article or watch a TV show that is STEM related and come up with a critical, thoughtful review of it.
Each of these Epic Quests have different ways you can do the work. Go Here to learn more about your options for doing the work.
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Video Game/App Review
Yeah, you read that right. I want you to choose a video game or phone app and review it. I want you to come up with a critical, logical, thoughtful review of a game or app of your choice. You need to focus on the pros and the cons, the good and the bad. I want you to become a "critical consumer" of an item and determine if it is worthy of you spending your hard-earned money on it.
Career Report
During your work on the modules, you will come across different ideas and possible career paths. Well, for the Career report, I want you to learn more about a possible career that interests you and to give me more information about it. But really, this information is for you. This report should tell you more about a career that you can start pursuing in high school, letting you know what subjects on which to focus and the skills you need to learn.
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