First "real" attempt: Gamification in my classroom

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Gamification was something I started to think about a few years ago, when I got into a few twitter chats with sixth grade teacher Michael Matera.  He is has created a complete curriculum with gamification at the center of his classroom.  He is a real expert, check out his work--Or join him for a Twitter chat  #XPLAP Wednesday at 8EST.  
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However, it was a thought. Mike, Travis and I were exploring team teaching over distance and self paced mastery learning and were busy.  It was another awesome idea that had to wait.  

Last year, I started to go deeper into the concept. Michelle Besett and I started a diigo reading group on gamification.  Then we used the last few days of schools to have student make small badges by hand.  We felt having the kids make them would create more meaning. 

My School is a one to one school.  We had used stickers to dress up their laptops cases, but this was different.  We wanted students to show evidence of their learning and make awarding badges that could be based on level, ability, etc... So we talked, dreamed and try all kinds of google forms to make it "easy" for us.  But like many things, it was just one more thing.  More to do.  More to worry about. More to keep track of and we did not see a simple solution. 

So I was happy to read Ryan Collins blog last week, who has been a friend for several years,  about a "Badge List is a service that lets you create and award badges"  I checked it out right away.  Within a few hours, I had 8 badges made, spoken to the owner and thought about a test run for the rest of the year.  

We have five weeks left to test this software.  What I like so far:

• google sign in
• easy to build new badges (can upload ones kids made last year) 
• easy to explain the evidence needed to earn the badge
• you can create groups, open or closed 
• Evidence can be in text, links, images, tweets or code
• The badge has embed code for websites (also other share options)
• You can mass award badges
  • Students get email with feedback and downloaded badge. 
  • They have their own webpage on Badge List that keeps badges in order. 
• The owner/creator emails you back quick with questions and helpful links or tutorials. 

Four of my class periods are signing up today.  I will run this "Trial" for the rest of the school year.  I will update TFT after I collect feedback from students and provide more insightful information on the process.  But so far, I think I love this product.  It can do all the things we wanted to do three years ago and it makes it easy for me to manage.  That is good.  Cheers, Garth