Hi Tzvi
I think you are asking a great question.
There is a difference between 'gamification' (using badges, points etc) and using elements of good game design to increase student learning.
With a good game students are challenged, creative, part of a community, feel accomplishment, immersed and interact with the game environment. These are just a few of the elements - Professor Paul Gee has a nice outline here: [
ocw.metu.edu.tr]
At Frankel Jewish Academy we explored how meaningful Jewish games could enhance student learning. Our first attempt was Sparks of Eternity (go to www.sparksofeternity.com for download details, resources, lesson plans - it's all free) where students become a Talmid of Rabban Yochanan ben Zakkai as he escapes a besieged Jerusalem. While following through the story as outlined in the Gemara (meeting Abba Sikra, store houses being burned, meeting Vespasian) the player also learns parts of the Oral Torah - the first mishnah in masechet brachot, concerning the evening Shema.
As a first attempt at Jewish gaming it was good - students understood that the Oral Torah was codified in a particular time period, that the Sages were real people, that Jews faced real dilemmas. However it still did not incorporate all the elements of good game design we had hoped for.
Our next game, Kerem b'Yavneh, takes place following the destruction of the Second Beit HaMikdash. This game is much more sophisticated where the player has to build and create their Jewish homestead, live a virtual Jewish life, fulfill mitzvot, complete quests, learn Torah and can be part of a class community. It also considers how games affect the pedagogy in the class (teachers can personalise the quizzing system, quests, and rewards to fit their syllabi). This game is being beta tested at our school and will be released in the coming month. If anyone is interested in playing our latest (non-public) version please e-mail me off list and I will send you the details.
Producing quality games takes a lot of work and we partnered with the game creation lab at Michigan State University - our school does not have the resources to produce a game in house. While the cost of production may be high (we received a grant to do this work), if it works well (and when we release the game we will see if it becomes popular) then it may indeed be worth the payoff. If it is a serious learning game used by multiple classes and students, perhaps those who don't attend a Jewish school, or who are in remote areas, then it may be worth it.
Our work is really just the beginning, but I think it is the first bold leap into Rabbinic learning games, and judging by the response and use we will see how successful we are!
Reuven Margrett
Director of Jewish Studies
Frankel Jewish Academy
rmargrett@frankelja.org
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 11/25/2015 08:48PM by mlb.
