class: center, middle, inverse, title-slide .title[ # <br>Level Up Learning! ] .subtitle[ ## <i>Enhancing Student Engagement Through Interactive Technology & Gamification</i> ] .author[ ### Dr Danielle Evans <br> University of Sussex ] .date[ ### <p><a href="https://drdanielleevans.netlify.app/"><svg aria-hidden="true" role="img" viewBox="0 0 640 512" style="height:1em;width:1.25em;vertical-align:-0.125em;margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto;font-size:inherit;fill:#000000;overflow:visible;position:relative;"><path d="M579.8 267.7c56.5-56.5 56.5-148 0-204.5c-50-50-128.8-56.5-186.3-15.4l-1.6 1.1c-14.4 10.3-17.7 30.3-7.4 44.6s30.3 17.7 44.6 7.4l1.6-1.1c32.1-22.9 76-19.3 103.8 8.6c31.5 31.5 31.5 82.5 0 114L422.3 334.8c-31.5 31.5-82.5 31.5-114 0c-27.9-27.9-31.5-71.8-8.6-103.8l1.1-1.6c10.3-14.4 6.9-34.4-7.4-44.6s-34.4-6.9-44.6 7.4l-1.1 1.6C206.5 251.2 213 330 263 380c56.5 56.5 148 56.5 204.5 0L579.8 267.7zM60.2 244.3c-56.5 56.5-56.5 148 0 204.5c50 50 128.8 56.5 186.3 15.4l1.6-1.1c14.4-10.3 17.7-30.3 7.4-44.6s-30.3-17.7-44.6-7.4l-1.6 1.1c-32.1 22.9-76 19.3-103.8-8.6C74 372 74 321 105.5 289.5L217.7 177.2c31.5-31.5 82.5-31.5 114 0c27.9 27.9 31.5 71.8 8.6 103.9l-1.1 1.6c-10.3 14.4-6.9 34.4 7.4 44.6s34.4 6.9 44.6-7.4l1.1-1.6C433.5 260.8 427 182 377 132c-56.5-56.5-148-56.5-204.5 0L60.2 244.3z"/></svg></a> <a href="https://profiles.sussex.ac.uk/p414983-danielle-evans/about"><svg aria-hidden="true" role="img" viewBox="0 0 576 512" style="height:1em;width:1.12em;vertical-align:-0.125em;margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto;font-size:inherit;fill:#000000;overflow:visible;position:relative;"><path d="M512 80c8.8 0 16 7.2 16 16V416c0 8.8-7.2 16-16 16H64c-8.8 0-16-7.2-16-16V96c0-8.8 7.2-16 16-16H512zM64 32C28.7 32 0 60.7 0 96V416c0 35.3 28.7 64 64 64H512c35.3 0 64-28.7 64-64V96c0-35.3-28.7-64-64-64H64zM208 256a64 64 0 1 0 0-128 64 64 0 1 0 0 128zm-32 32c-44.2 0-80 35.8-80 80c0 8.8 7.2 16 16 16H304c8.8 0 16-7.2 16-16c0-44.2-35.8-80-80-80H176zM376 144c-13.3 0-24 10.7-24 24s10.7 24 24 24h80c13.3 0 24-10.7 24-24s-10.7-24-24-24H376zm0 96c-13.3 0-24 10.7-24 24s10.7 24 24 24h80c13.3 0 24-10.7 24-24s-10.7-24-24-24H376z"/></svg></a> <a href="https://github.com/de84sussex"><svg aria-label="GitHub" role="img" viewBox="0 0 496 512" style="height:1em;width:0.97em;vertical-align:-0.125em;margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto;font-size:inherit;fill:#000000;overflow:visible;position:relative;"><title>GitHub</title><path d="M165.9 397.4c0 2-2.3 3.6-5.2 3.6-3.3.3-5.6-1.3-5.6-3.6 0-2 2.3-3.6 5.2-3.6 3-.3 5.6 1.3 5.6 3.6zm-31.1-4.5c-.7 2 1.3 4.3 4.3 4.9 2.6 1 5.6 0 6.2-2s-1.3-4.3-4.3-5.2c-2.6-.7-5.5.3-6.2 2.3zm44.2-1.7c-2.9.7-4.9 2.6-4.6 4.9.3 2 2.9 3.3 5.9 2.6 2.9-.7 4.9-2.6 4.6-4.6-.3-1.9-3-3.2-5.9-2.9zM244.8 8C106.1 8 0 113.3 0 252c0 110.9 69.8 205.8 169.5 239.2 12.8 2.3 17.3-5.6 17.3-12.1 0-6.2-.3-40.4-.3-61.4 0 0-70 15-84.7-29.8 0 0-11.4-29.1-27.8-36.6 0 0-22.9-15.7 1.6-15.4 0 0 24.9 2 38.6 25.8 21.9 38.6 58.6 27.5 72.9 20.9 2.3-16 8.8-27.1 16-33.7-55.9-6.2-112.3-14.3-112.3-110.5 0-27.5 7.6-41.3 23.6-58.9-2.6-6.5-11.1-33.3 2.6-67.9 20.9-6.5 69 27 69 27 20-5.6 41.5-8.5 62.8-8.5s42.8 2.9 62.8 8.5c0 0 48.1-33.6 69-27 13.7 34.7 5.2 61.4 2.6 67.9 16 17.7 25.8 31.5 25.8 58.9 0 96.5-58.9 104.2-114.8 110.5 9.2 7.9 17 22.9 17 46.4 0 33.7-.3 75.4-.3 83.6 0 6.5 4.6 14.4 17.3 12.1C428.2 457.8 496 362.9 496 252 496 113.3 383.5 8 244.8 8zM97.2 352.9c-1.3 1-1 3.3.7 5.2 1.6 1.6 3.9 2.3 5.2 1 1.3-1 1-3.3-.7-5.2-1.6-1.6-3.9-2.3-5.2-1zm-10.8-8.1c-.7 1.3.3 2.9 2.3 3.9 1.6 1 3.6.7 4.3-.7.7-1.3-.3-2.9-2.3-3.9-2-.6-3.6-.3-4.3.7zm32.4 35.6c-1.6 1.3-1 4.3 1.3 6.2 2.3 2.3 5.2 2.6 6.5 1 1.3-1.3.7-4.3-1.3-6.2-2.2-2.3-5.2-2.6-6.5-1zm-11.4-14.7c-1.6 1-1.6 3.6 0 5.9 1.6 2.3 4.3 3.3 5.6 2.3 1.6-1.3 1.6-3.9 0-6.2-1.4-2.3-4-3.3-5.6-2z"/></svg></a></p> ] --- class: no-scribble <style type="text/css"> element.style { height: 1em; width: 0.97em; vertical-align: -0.125em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; font-size: inherit; fill: #fff !important; overflow: visible; position: relative; } a { color: #2ec0f0; font-weight: bold; } a.glossary { font-weight: bold; color: #a497f0; cursor: help; position: relative; } .remark-inline-code { font-size: var(--code-inline-font-size); color: #428aff; padding: 2px; } strong { font-weight: bold; color: black; } .remark-slide-number { color: black; opacity: 1; font-size: 0.9rem; } .hljs-github .hljs-string, .hljs-github .hljs-doctag { color: #333; } .hljs-github .hljs-literal { color: #333; } .hiddenFrame{ height:1px; width:1px; opacity: 0; } </style> <style type="text/css"> .tooltip { position: relative; display: inline-block; } .tooltip .tooltiptext { visibility: hidden; width: 280px; background-color: #a497f0; color: #fff; text-align: center; border-radius: 6px; padding: 5px 0; position: absolute; z-index: 1; bottom: 35%; left: 124%; margin-left: -60px; opacity: 0; transition: opacity 0.3s; } .tooltip .tooltiptext::after { content: ""; position: absolute; top: 50%; right: 100%; /* To the left of the tooltip */ margin-top: -5px; border-width: 5px; border-style: solid; border-color: transparent #a497f0 transparent transparent; } .tooltip:hover .tooltiptext { visibility: visible; opacity: 1; } </style> ## The problem - HE student engagement is incredibly low across modules, courses & universities - A **gazillion** reasons for this largely beyond our control, but some within... - Sussex specifics: - Many psychology students aren't expecting to learn statistics in the depth that they do, & especially aren't expecting to **learn R**! - We have a **large cohort** (~500 per year) - All statistics/R content is taught in the first **2 years** --- ## The consequences - If students disengage, it's very hard to catch up **independently** - Students will often bury their heads in the sand until it's too late for us to feasibly help them - So ideally, we want to increase and encouragement engagement right from the beginning... --- ## So, what can _we_ do - Statistics is often perceived as a '**dry**' subject, but by utilising technology, we can transform it into a more engaging and **enjoyable** experience + Incorporating interactive tools can make challenging topics like statistics and R more **approachable** and help students stay connected with the material, even when they're finding it **difficult** --- ## But what technologies??? 2 main approaches focusing on: - **Interactivity** + Shared documents, learnr tutorials, shiny apps, presentation tools, whiteboards, Discord - **Gamification principles** + Points systems, challenges, easter eggs, Kahoot! quizzes, leaderboards, awards/prizes/hex stickers -- - As scientists we know the best method would be to **systematically test** the effectiveness of each of these strategies -- + Which is exactly what we *didn't* do... --- ## Interactive learnr tutorials - Prof Andy Field's [Discovr](https://www.discovr.rocks/discovr/) learnr tutorials - Engages students with hands-on **coding tasks** and **quizzes** - Offers real-time **feedback** to reinforce learning - **Self-paced** allowing students to learn and review concepts at their own speed .center[ <img src="data:image/png;base64,#img/rss6.png" width="80%" /> ] --- ## Shiny apps - Allows hands-on interaction with data, making learning more **active** - Encourages **experimentation** with variables to deepen understanding - Simplifies complex concepts through interactive **visualisations** - Can make dull topics slightly **less dull...** .center[ <!-- --> ] --- ## Presentation tools - [Glossary package](https://github.com/debruine/glossary), whiteboards & <a class='glossary' title='The scribble() function is a part of the xaringanExtra package, which extends the functionality of Xaringan presentations by adding various interactive features. Specifically, scribble() enables the addition of a “scribble” feature to Xaringan slides, allowing presenters and viewers to draw or annotate directly on the slides during the presentation. This feature is particularly useful for live presentations, where highlighting specific parts of a slide or adding freehand notes can enhance understanding and engagement.'>scribble</a> with the [xaringanExtra package](https://github.com/gadenbuie/xaringanExtra): <img src="data:image/png;base64,#index_files/figure-html/unnamed-chunk-7-1.png" style="display: block; margin: auto;" /> --- ## 'ChallengRs' <p><img style="width: 42%; height: 42%; float: right; padding: 1px;" src="data:image/png;base64,#img/rss2.png"/></p> 'Fun' **challenges** that build stats/R skills: - Create a meme using the [memer](https://github.com/sctyner/memer) package - Make a [plot](https://github.com/R-CoderDotCom/ggdogs) of puppies - Analyse your [whatsapp groupchats](https://github.com/JBGruber/rwhatsapp) - Find the most common lip sync song on [RuPaul's drag race](https://github.com/svmiller/dragracer) etc **Points** are awarded for each challenge completed and submitted - Goal setting with clear objectives, gives a sense of **achievement** - Students can track their **progress** through self-directed problem-solving - Encourages **practice** and mastery of coding skills --- <div class="tooltip"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dQw4w9WgXcQ" style="color:#ff44bf;"><h2>Easter eggs 🐣</a></h2><span class="tooltiptext"><i>Go on, click me, I dare you</i></span></div> - An easter egg is a **hidden feature**, message, or inside joke intentionally placed in a piece of media (such as a movie, video game, software, or book) by its creators for users to discover as a fun secret or surprise - Aims to encourage **exploration**, motivating students to engage with content more deeply - Provides a sense of **achievement**: finding Easter eggs = a reward of **points** - Enhances student experience: adds fun and playful **interaction** to content - [Essentially just me trolling students a bit] --- ## Kahoot! <p><img style="width: 50%; height: 50%; float: right; padding: 1px;" src="data:image/png;base64,#img/rss1.png"/></p> - Weekly [Kahoot!](https://kahoot.com/) quizzes in the last 10 mins of every lecture - **Competitive** element encourages participation - Provides instant insights into understanding, allowing students to **correct mistakes** - Helps assess **comprehension** and mastery of the content, helping students identify areas that need further review - **Points** earned give a sense of **achievement** and encourages **continued effort** --- ## Kahoot! <br> .center[ <!-- --> ] --- ## Leaderboards & points <p><img style="width: 42%; height: 42%; float: right; padding: 1px;" src="data:image/png;base64,#img/rss3.png"/></p> - Displays rankings to introduce **competition** and encourage **improvement** - **Points** system awards **achievements**, incentivising engagement and effort - **Progress** tracking: allows participants to see their performance relative to others - Boosts motivation through visible **rewards** and competitive elements - Encourages continued **participation** --- ## Leaderboards & points .center[ <!-- --> ] --- ## Looking forward - More integrated approach: + Incorporate the aforementioned strategies into **virtual learning environments** (i.e. Canvas) + Use Canvas Badges to award hex sticker style **badges** based on various achievements and challenges + Integrate points system into **Discord** - Actually collect some real data to assess the efficacy of these tools - Explore differences in effectiveness between students --- ## Top tips - Provide multiple ways of engaging: + Allow for **anonymity** + **Synchronous** and **asynchronous** activities + Varied **interests/topics** - Be mindful of student **demographics** and individual differences + Effectiveness of gamification techniques vary - Doesn't have to be complicated: [Discord](https://discord.com/), [Padlet](https://padlet.com/), [Poll Everywhere](https://www.polleverywhere.com/) & shared Google docs for discussions/Q&A - **Have fun** with it!