learning — Experience Points Podcast

Episode 126 Chris Carbone on Board Game Academics

In this episode of Experience Points by University XP, host Dave Eng interviews Christopher Carbone, an accomplished career services leader and co-founder of Board Game Academics. They discuss the intersection of academia and tabletop gaming, emphasizing experiential learning and personal development. Carbone shares insights on career development, the mission of Board Game Academics, and memorable experiences from his Board Gamers Anonymous podcast. He highlights the transformative power of tabletop games in education, mental health, and social contexts. The episode concludes with a discussion on the future of Board Game Academics and its contributions to scholarly research and societal understanding of gaming.

Episode 119 Sarah Le-Fevre on Play and Impactful Learning

In this episode of "Experience Points" by University XP, host Dave Eng interviews Sarah Le-Fevre, a games-based learning professional with expertise in addressing complex organizational challenges and fostering ethical innovation. Le-Fevre uses tools like Lego Serious Play to create immersive learning experiences. The discussion covers Le-Fevre's background in games and learning, her journey into games-based learning, and her experiences addressing systemic challenges within organizations. The conversation also touches on the diversity of Le-Fevre's projects, including keepsake games for organizational wellness and fungi-themed organizational culture games. Furthermore, Le-Fevre provides insights into her upcoming book, which explores a playful systems practice approach to impactful learning. The book challenges traditional learning design methodologies and emphasizes the need to consider the broader system when implementing organizational change.

ludogogy, sarah le-fevreDave EngAugust 25, 2024ludogogy, learning, systems, playful, impactful, diversityComment

Episode 90 How do I Adapt Games for Learning?

On today’s episode we’ll answer the question “How do I Adapt Games for Learning?” Most people know games as vehicles for fun, entertainment and socialization. Elements of games – through gamification – can also be used to augment, change, and influence individuals behaviors. Those behaviors can affect the way that they interact, shop, and travel.

games-based learningDave EngJuly 16, 2023adaptation, strategy, approaches, games-based learning, assessment, learningComment

Episode 80 What is Expectancy Theory?

On today’s episode we’ll answer the question: “What is Expectancy Theory?” Thinking about why we do something is often a central part of all of our activities. Those include why we work, play, or form relationships with one another. This is the central aspect of motivation: knowing what will happen or occur as a result of our own actions.

Episode 79 How do players create meaning in games?

On today’s episode we’ll cover how players create meaning in games. Creating and making meaning is something that everyone does at every point of their day. Creating meaning is one of the hallmarks of sentience. We think, therefore we are. But what exactly is meaning? How does meaning making occur? How does meaning making relate to games-based learning?

Episode 77 Playing Serious Games

On today’s episode we’ll cover Playing Serious Games. Serious games are games created from the ground up for teaching and learning. These also include games created for a social purpose outside of the more tradition paths of games for entertainment.

Episode 71 What is Grokking?

On today’s episode we’ll answer the question: “What is Grokking?” You may have heard the word “Grok” before but may not have known what it meant. Grokking is used by different people and in different contexts. Usually, people use the term to convey thoroughly understanding and interaction with a game or system. But, the origins of the word; how it’s used; and its application to games and games-based learning is diverse and fascinating

grokkingDave EngOctober 30, 2022grokking, grok, learning, mastery, games, mechanics, students, playersComment

Episode 70 What is Constructivism?

On today’s episode we’ll answer the question: “What is Constructivism?” Learning is the transformation of experience into knowledge. That means that learning is the construction of knowledge through the learner. We are learning when we are playing games. When we play games we are actively constructing the framework for how we play, understand, and interact within the game world.

constructivismDave EngOctober 16, 2022learning, players, game, instructors, games-based learning, learning theoryComment

Episode 66 Game Mechanics for Learning

On today’s episode we’ll cover how to use game mechanics for learning. Game mechanics are the rules and procedures that guide players through the game. These mechanics also provide the structure for how the game reacts to players’ actions. This definition is great for game designers and developers, but what about for educators, instructors, professors, and teachers? How do they use game mechanics for teaching and learning? How can students benefit from game mechanics through games-based learning?

game mechanicsDave EngAugust 21, 2022game mechanics, learning, structure, core loop, feedbackComment

Episode 62 What is a Simulation?

On today’s episode we’ll answer the question: “What is a Simulation?” Simulations and games are mediums that players, designers, academics, and professionals often talk about. Some simulations are games like The Sims and Sim City. Whereas other simulations are more serious. Simulations find their way into our daily lives in several ways. But, we can also use them for teaching, training, learning, and development.

simulationsDave EngJune 26, 2022simulations, fidelity, abstraction, teaching, learningComment

Episode 54 What is Games-Based Learning?

On today’s episode we’ll answer the question: “What is Games-Based Learning?” Games are pretty ubiquitous. You can find them in most places. I tend to really love my table top game collection; but there are other gamers who are as easily attached to their mobile phones; tablets; PC’s or consoles.

games-based learning, GBLDave EngMarch 6, 2022games, learning, games-based learning, GBL, gamification Comment

Episode 42 Games for Adult Learning

On today’s episode we’ll cover games for adult learning. Adult learning represents a substantial field of higher education. Though, in media and pop culture, they don’t often represent the quintessential college student.

adult learningDave EngSeptember 19, 2021adults, learning, development, adult learningComment

Episode 30 Game Theme

On today’s episode we’ll cover game themes. Table top game designers often think of the question: what comes first, mechanics or theme? The same can be said about educators when it comes to developing curriculum: content or learning outcomes?

themeDave EngMarch 21, 2021theme, learning, player, game, outcomes, contentComment

Episode 26 Roguelike Learning

On today’s episode we’ll cover “Rougelike Learning.” There’s a special appeal to playing really hard games. Games were you have to grind it out over time to get anywhere. A type of those really hard games are called roguelikes. But what makes them hard? What makes them appealing? Most importantly: how can we use the difficulty of roguelike games for games-based learning?

rougelikeDave EngJanuary 29, 2021rougelike, learning, game structure, core loopComment