Using Test Editors and D2L Quizzes to Build Educational Games

Ryan SmithInstructional Design Assistant

Front Range Community College

Objective

• To share methods of generating a massive question database in D2L

Objective

• To share methods of generating a massive question database in D2L

• Not to teach about game mechanics or classroom based gaming

Objective

• To share methods of generating a massive question database in D2L

• Not to teach about game mechanics or classroom based gaming

• This process could be helpful developing question databases for any purpose in D2L

Background

• Need for practice of Multiplication and Division tables identified while Tutoring

Background

• Need for practice of Multiplication and Division tables identified while Tutoring

• Mad Minute quizzes used as a basis

Background

• Need for practice of Multiplication and Division tables identified while Tutoring

• Mad Minute quizzes used as a basis

• Needed something more engaging than the typical ‘Drill and Kill’ approach

Math Wiz U

• Offers a way to practice

• Randomized questions

• Only takes 2 minutes

• Level of difficulty increases (to a limit)

• Compete against yourself

• Mental Math tips re-enforce Algebra

• Great for a warm up

Math Wiz U

Game Mechanics:

• Countdown

• Points

• Additional game elements, like a Leaderboard, could be added

Finding a Test Editor

• Needed an easy format for importing questions

• Must be able to export to D2L

• I used Wimba Dimploma 6

Understand your Template

• Create one or two questions and export to an RTF file

• Take note of the structure and formatting of the file

Create the Template in Excel

• Look for patterns

• Use the ‘Concatenate’ formula

• Each line in the question generator should be represented in a single column

Paste into a Word Processor

• Convert table to text

• Look for possible errors in format

• Save as RTF

• Import into Test Editor

Importing to a Question Library

• Test out a couple of questions

• Export as a D2L compatible test bank

• Import into D2L

Brainstorming

What other types of quizzes could be created this way?

Recreate the format

Use formulas to piece together

A Work in Progress

Some questions I am keeping in mind:

Does it look like a game?

How much time does it take?

What is going to drive the students to play?

Why would a student want to keep playing?– Is it a “fun” type of hard?– Does it make me want to try again?– Is everyone challenged?

Thank you!

View presentation and files at:

http://tinyurl.com/khaoj9y

Ryan SmithInstructional Design Assistant Front Range Community Collegeryan.smith@frontrange.edu