An Educational Design Research Journey through Space: Gamifying an Instructional Design Course

• In Event: Innovative Design for Learning and Human Flourishing

Abstract

This study employed educational design research (EDR) methodology to study the design, implementation, and evaluation of a gamified graduate instructional design course across six iterations with 188 students. The gamified course design included an immersive space exploration narrative, missions, power-up challenges, a leaderboard, badges, and interactive multimedia elements. A convergent mixed-methods research methodology was used to capture both quantitative patterns of engagement and qualitative insights into student experiences. The missions were found to be the most motivating, followed by commander videos, discussions, and space games. Five design principles and an applied EDR model for gamification are proposed based on the study implementation and evaluation across the iterations, providing practical guidance for educators implementing gamification in higher education contexts.

Authors

• Susie Gronseth, University of Houston

• Sara G. McNeil, University of Houston