Resources

Some suggested resources. This is a very small sampling of the many resources currently available.

Bell, N. (n.d.) 5 classic game types to gamify your Moodle course. Retrieved April 24, 2021 from https://www.neelabell.com/online-learning-2/5-classic-game-types-to-gamify-your-moodle-course/
If you're thinking about adding a storyline, here are five useful classic game approaches. These are just rough outlines - you will need to add all the details to make the story work in your setting. The storyline ideas will work in any setting. For more ideas, see 25 storyline ideas to gamify your course at https://www.neelabell.com/online-learning-2/25-storyline-ideas-to-gamify-your-course/. These are not specifically for English language teaching, but provide plenty of possibilities for creativity.  

Bell, N. (n.d.) How to start gamifying your online course. Retrieved from https://www.neelabell.com/online-learning-2/how-to-start-gamifying-your-online-course/
If you're creating an online or hybrid course, especially one in Moodle, this will be very useful. See her other pages for tips, too.

Bennett, S., Maton, K., & Kervin, L. (2008). The ‘digital natives’ debate: A critical review of the evidence. British Journal of Educational Technology, 39 (5), 775-786. Retrieved from https://www.researchgate.net/publication/200772429_The_%27Digital_Natives%27_Debate_A_Critical_Review_of_the_Evidence
This provides information about limitations to Prensky’s depiction of digital natives and digital immigrants.

Burke, B. (2014). Gamify: How gamification motivates people to do extraordinary things. Bibliomotion.
I haven't read this yet, but plan to do so. Sounds quite interesting.

Catalano, M. (2012). What's the difference between games and gamification? Retrieved from https://ww2.kqed.org/mindshift/2012/08/21/whats-the-difference-between-games-and-gamification/
A look at the difference, some suggestions, and the pitfalls in trying to gamify education.

Chou, Y-K. (2014). Actionable gamification. Milpitas, CA: Octalysis Media.
Chou’s “octalysis” approach offers an 8-point approach to gamifying in a range of settings.

Class Dojo. (2018). Retrieved from https://www.classdojo.com.
Platform that includes many gamification elements, such as badging. Free for teachers to use; create a class and invite students.

Deci, E. L., & Ryan, R. M. (1985a). Intrinsic motivation and self-determination in human behavior. New York: Plenum.
A good place to start with Self-Determination Theory.

Deci, E. L., & Ryan, R. M. (1985b). The general causality orientations scale: Self-determination in personality. Journal of Research in Personality, 19, 109-134. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/0092-6566(85)90023-6.
More on self-determination theory.

Deci, E. L., Koestner, R., & Ryan, R. M. (2001). Extrinsic rewards and intrinsic motivation in education: Reconsidered once again. Review of Educational Research, 71, 1-27. http://dx.doi.org/10.3102/00346543071001001
Cognitive Evaluation Theory as a way of explaining anomalies with self-determination theory.

Extra Credits. (2012). Gamifying education [video file]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1dLK9MW-9sY
This very fast-paced YouTube video gives reasons why gamifying education could be a good thing.

Figueroa Flores, J.F. (2015). Using gamification to enhance second language learning. Digital Education Review, 27: June. Retrieved from http://revistes.ub.edu/index.php/der/article/download/11912/pdf
Scholarly overview of gamification in L2 learning.

Healey, D. (2018). Games and gamification for language teaching. [PDF]
A brief look at the difference between game-based learning and gamification (for my online class on Trace Effects and Gamification).

Healey, D. (2019). Advancing learning: Gamification. [PDF]
White paper on gamification, including a discussion of psychology research and classroom research on gamification.

Healey, D. (2021). 2021 Healey games and gamification resources [PDF].
Resource list for 2021 presentations.

Healey, D. (2021). Healey gamification resources 2021. [PDF}.
Resource list handout for 2021 presentations.

Juul, J. (2003). The game, the player, the world: Looking for a heart of gameness. Retrieved from http://www.jesperjuul.net/text/gameplayerworld/
Background about using games in language teaching; definitions of games.

Kapp, K. (2014). What is gamification? [Video file]. Retrieved fromhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TjNVd3Z0Ul8
Definition and examples from the author of the book listed below. 9-minute video.

Kapp, K.M. (2012). The gamification of learning and instruction: Game-based methods and strategies for training and education. San Francisco: Pfeiffer.
An interesting and useful read for teachers, trainers, and game developers.

Kelly, T. (2012). Real gamification mechanics require simplicity and, yes, game designers can do it. Retrieved from https://techcrunch.com/2012/12/08/real-vs-fake-gamification-mechanics/
Kelly’s seven real gamification mechanics are another approach to thinking about gamification – they go beyond the usual list of game mechanics and talk about what may be really going on.

Manrique, V. (2013). Gamification design framework: The SMA model. https://www.gamedeveloper.com/design/gamification-design-framework-the-sma-model
How to start: With the goal, actions to achieve the goal, players (students, for us), and system (how the whole thing will work). SMA: Storytelling, Mechanics, Aesthetics

Marczewski, Andrzej. (2024). Gamified UK. [Blog]. https://www.gamified.uk/
Blog on a variety of gamification-related topics. The author creates gamification schemes for business, but his blog includes useful information for educators as well.

Pesche, C. (n.d.). ESL teachers ask: How can I gamify my ESL classroom? Retrieved from https://busyteacher.org/20574-gamify-esl-classroom.html
Easy to read list of basic ideas about getting started.

Schell, Jesse (2008). The art of game design. Boca Raton, FL:Taylor & Francis
While not specifically for ELT, this provides an excellent look at creating a game and gamifying.

Tech Crunch. (2018). SCVNGR's Secret Game Mechanics Playdeck: https://techcrunch.com/2010/08/25/scvngr-game-mechanics/
More for game creators, this explains 47 elements of game mechanics used by game-maker SCVNGR.

TeachThought. (2013). The difference between gamification and game-based learning. Retrieved from https://www.teachthought.com/learning/difference-gamification-game-based-learning/
A short and useful reading, but full of intermingled ads

Many thanks to Kodiak Atwood for additional resource suggestions:

Cohen, A. M. (2011). The gamification of education: Why online social games may be poised to replace textbooks in schools. Futurist, 45 (5), 16-17.
Overview of ideas about why it could be useful to gamify education.

Dominguez, A., Saenz-de-Navarrete, J., de-Marcos, L., Fernandez-Sanz, L., Pages, C., & Martinez-Herraiz, J. J. (2013). Gamifying learning experiences: Practical implications and outcomes. Computers & Education, 63, 380-392.
Research and suggestions for teachers interested in gamifying their classes.

Liu, T. Y., & Chu, Y. L. (2010). Using ubiquitous games in an English listening and speaking course: Impact on learning outcomes and motivation. Computers & Education, 55 (2), 630-643.
Research on 7th grade student motivation in classes that used hand-held devices and games/gamified activities.

Ryu, D. (May 01, 2013). Play to learn, learn to play: Language learning through gaming culture. ReCALL, 25 (2), 286-301.
Research on language learning autonomy in gamers who are English language learners.

Badge-making sites suggested by Kai Liu

Previous handouts and PPT - see more recent ones on the Overview page

2024 Games and gamification resources (PDF)

2024 Games and gamification for language teaching - my explanation of the difference (PDF)

Handout for Tampico 2020 presentation [PDF]

August 2019 AfricaTESOL PPT in PDF format

Handout and worksheets for April 2019 PELLTA (2019 Penang worksheets)

Handouts and worksheets for 2018 IATEFL presentation; April 2018 IATEFL PPT in PDF format

Handout for 2017 Asia TESOL/TEFLIN presentation (PDF); July 2017 PPT in PDF format

January 2014 Croatia PPT in PDF format

Handout for August 2013 presentation (PDF); August 2013 PPT presentation on Slideshare: http://www.slideshare.net/healeyd/gamification-keynote-malaysia

March 2013 PPT presentation on Slideshare: http://www.slideshare.net/healeyd/gamification-in-elt-healey

Created by D. Healey, with content from Kai Liu and Kodiak Atwood; last updated 10 May 2024.