GameCraft LMS

gayle_yamazaki
Macmillan Employee
Macmillan Employee
2 2 864

I'm always interested in new ways of presenting student information and course materials. The University of Michigan has been receiving some press regarding their GradeCraft Learning Management System (LMS). According to their website, it is an LMS that is based on the idea of gamification to the course through the LMS system. GradeCraft presents the students with options of material to explore and points to be earned. The student is in charge of their online academic experience and learning for the course. There is a lot of research that supports increased student engagement and learning when the student has control over their own learning experience. GradeCraft is trying to foster that type of learning experience. Although student control is an important feature and underlying assumption, it isn't an academic free-for-all. The professor provides the materials, pathways, and structure and can even design conditional release controlled path of assignments. From the student perspective, it seems that it provides an exploratory environment which allows students to investigate what interests them. Some students report spending more time in their GradeCraft course because of the exploration option than other more traditionally delivered online education systems.

Have you heard of it or have used it? I'd love to hear your thoughts.

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About the Author
Dr. Yamazaki has been involved in adult education since the mid-1980's. She has developed technology-based education for the Air Force, commercial industry, and for higher education. She is certified in instruction systems design. She has taught courses for the Air Force and at community college, college, and university institutions. She was awarded the teaching excellence award at the US Air Force Academy as an instructor for the behavioral sciences. In her work with Macmillan Higher Education, she works with educators and editorial to consult on the development of educational products, services, and experiences for higher education.