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Back in late May, an 8k step walk left me completely wiped out and realizing I needed to move more. Looking for something to motivate me I found Pokémon Go. It quickly hooked me, boosting my daily step count from a struggle to an easy 7k to 10k steps.

As an instructional designer, I can't help but think about how games can help with motivation and learning, and how game mechanics can sometimes mirror course design. Features like basic onboarding, intentional friction, and retry loops all map directly into learning environments.

What can games teach us about designing great courses? This October I will be facilitating an on-campus and outdoor faculty development workshop called "Faculty Go!" where we will play Pokemon Go together and talk about that intersection between game design and instructional design. See more about that below 

But gamification and games in learning are not a new concept. Check out these resources for more:

Tuesday September 22nd, 12 - 1 pm, Register Here

The Hub will host a virtual brown bag with Amy Brainer, and several of her students, to talk about their process of collaborating to create the GenAI policy in their class this semester. Inspired by this article, Professor Brainer decided to find out from students how they wanted suspected AI use to be handled. You’ll hear about the experience of co-creating the policy as well as how the first few weeks, and assignments, have gone.

The registration form has an option to submit questions in advance. 

Wednesday, Sep 23rd, 11:00am - 12:00pm, virtual

The Open Education Committee is inviting you to attend a faculty panel discussion about Open Education Resources (OER). OERs have been released under a creative open license that make them free and are usually in a digital format that allows easily sharing them with others. Join us for a conversation about the benefits of teaching with course materials that are not behind a paywall. We will explore challenges and opportunities about incorporating (OER) in your class.

UM-Dearborn has several OE grants available to all faculty and the panelists will share their experiences with these grants.

Panelists:

Tuesday, October 13th flexible from 11am - 12:30pm in person and on campus

What can a mobile game teach us about teaching and learning?

Join colleagues for an in person outdoor faculty development session that uses Pokémon GO as a shared environment for exploring gamified design and thinking about how that can apply to instructional design.

Whether you have played for years or have never opened the app you are welcome. Participants will discuss the basics of the game, explore campus together, and pause along the way for short “pedagogy reflections” about instructional design. 

The session is designed as a fun and informal opportunity to connect with colleagues while thinking differently about our own courses. 

No prior Pokémon GO experience is required. The first 30min is stationary to allow for some orientation then we start walking. Faculty are welcome to come late or leave early but once we are walking finding us might be more challenging. We will end at the SFC with a light lunch and to go boxes if you would like to take it with you! If you would rather not download the app you are welcome to walk along and join in the conversation stops. 

Please register to help us with planning and let us know your needs. More details around location and timing will be provided to those who register. 

Following a successful first year, the Hub for Teaching and Learning Resources and Digital Education are excited to invite faculty to participate in the second year of our Digital Accessibility Learning Communities. These funded, faculty-led communities provide a supportive space for instructors to explore practical strategies for creating more accessible and inclusive learning experiences, share ideas with colleagues, and make meaningful improvements to their courses. A detailed description of the program is available here. 

Whether you are just getting started with digital accessibility or looking to deepen your existing efforts, this opportunity offers dedicated time, peer support, and funding to help you advance accessible teaching practices that benefit all students. Led by Faculty Conveners, each learning community will bring together a cohort of participants to explore and apply digital accessibility principles to real-world teaching and course design challenges. 

If you're interested in being the Faculty Convener, please fill out the application form below. We are looking forward to hearing from you! First time applicants are currently invited to apply; if you convened a group last year, please wait to apply again until after September 28th. 

Looking for even more? Remember that Digital Education runs weekly live training sessions. These are the next two coming up.

The Inclusive History Project Teaching Fund supports undergraduate and graduate teaching that advances both the creation and dissemination of knowledge about the university’s full past. Instructional faculty across all three U-M campuses can apply for up to $5,000 for new course development or $3,000 for course redesign.

Our contact page includes multiple ways to reach out to us, including videoconferences, email consultations, and even a form to request support if you aren't sure who to work with.

Questions or comments? Contact Jessica Riviere at rivierej@umich.edu

Cover photo by Pavel Danilyuk found on Pexles
Pokestop Block M photo original by Chen Wang
All icons by Icons8