Designing Games That Teach and Assess Learning Outcomes

Games have a high potential for learning. Games can also assess learning outcomes. How can this potential be realized? We report on a method developed by the Games for Learning Institute (G4LI) to develop learning mechanics and assessment mechanics for games for learning. Mechanics describe the essential game play, the core activity (or sequence of activities) a player repeats throughout the game. Participants will learn the definition of learning and assessment mechanics, discuss criteria for effective learning and assessment mechanics, review examples for learning and assessment mechanics, and apply our design process to design their own learning and/or assessment mechanics.

Learning Objectives:
*Define learning and assessment mechanics
*Name criteria for effective learning and assessment mechanics
*Describe examples for learning and assessment mechanics
*Apply our design process to design their own learning and/or assessment mechanics