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Professor Ditches Grades For XP System

schliz writes "Like in World of Warcraft, students of Indiana University's game design classes start as Level 1 avatars with 0 XP, and progress by completing quests solo, as guilds, or in 'pick up groups.' Course coordinator Lee Sheldon says students are responding with 'far greater enthusiasm,' and many specifics of game design could also be directly applied to the workforce. These included: clearly defining goals for workers; providing incremental rewards; and balancing effort and reward."

27 of 311 comments (clear)

  1. Now I just need to create a bot by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 4, Funny

    If only I could create some sort of bot to do the work for me so I could then sell those rewards for money...

  2. He should have stuck with the 2000 system by BadAnalogyGuy · · Score: 5, Funny

    While there are definite benefits to the XP system, it's a very large departure from the stable and useful 2000 system.

    I predict the next step will be a major overhaul of the evaluation system which will be widely hailed as a vast improvement on paper but turn out to be a huge mess and pleasing to no one.

    1. Re:He should have stuck with the 2000 system by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 4, Funny

      While there are definite benefits to the XP system, it's a very large departure from the stable and useful 2000 system.

      And what is "2000 system"?

      Don't worry, you can just keep using Millenium edition.

    2. Re:He should have stuck with the 2000 system by StuartHankins · · Score: 5, Funny

      My gods, man, what are you doing? Stop it! Stop it!

      We cannot have intelligent discussion occurring here and I'm afraid your post is way too insightful for this place. Just think of the children! Before long they will get these funny ideas in their heads and then it's off to school or heaven forbid it, a career! Of all the shameful things! Then look what you've done!

      Remember this is a silly place for silly comments, such as "In Soviet Russia, equations calculate you", or "it's equations, all the way down". If you have a pro- or anti- Linux stance now is the time to make it known. Kindly do us a favor and think before you post, but not too much.

      All right, now get on with it!

    3. Re:He should have stuck with the 2000 system by Belial6 · · Score: 2, Funny

      I sure as hell hope that every educated person knows the basic foundations of physics.

      I hate to break the news to you, but your hopes are unfulfilled.

    4. Re:He should have stuck with the 2000 system by MagicM · · Score: 2, Funny

      Get on with it!

    5. Re:He should have stuck with the 2000 system by Rakshasa+Taisab · · Score: 2, Funny

      2000 system? No... Give me the EVE skilling system!

      --
      - These characters were randomly selected.
  3. Just make courses more fun. by ipquickly · · Score: 3, Funny

    This approach would be great in other courses.

    Anatomy class, for example.
    Play doctor and get credit.

    1. Re:Just make courses more fun. by Abstrackt · · Score: 5, Funny

      Anatomy class, for example. Play doctor and get credit.

      Oh, I was thinking "bring me three frog livers for a reward".

      --
      They say a little knowledge is a dangerous thing, but it's not one half so bad as a lot of ignorance. - Terry Pratchett
    2. Re:Just make courses more fun. by betterunixthanunix · · Score: 2, Funny

      Man, now I feel like I have a dirty mind...

      --
      Palm trees and 8
  4. Re:This is still no remedy... by sopssa · · Score: 5, Funny

    Can I pay for a Chinese man to power-level me through school?

  5. Re:sheer leveling? by sopssa · · Score: 4, Funny

    As they're getting near level 80 all the girls will get interested and want to have sex with the top-of-the-class guys, just like with World of Warcraft.

  6. First job internew by gad_zuki! · · Score: 5, Funny

    Kid: "Well, I'm a level 8 Human designer. I'm mostly int and charisma."

    Interviewer: "Err, okay... here, roll this 20 sided die. 10 or higher gets you a second interview"

    *rolls*

    "Sorry, I hope you are able to find better opportunities elsewhere."

    *long pause*

    "Fireball! Fireball! Fireball! Fireball!"

    "Please leave my office."

    1. Re:First job internew by SharpFang · · Score: 5, Funny

      Well, we don't need employees who have bad luck...

      --
      45 5F E1 04 22 CA 29 C4 93 3F 95 05 2B 79 2A B2
  7. Malware issue by Wolvenhaven · · Score: 2, Funny

    Sorry I didn't come to class today, I imbibed some sort of malware last night at the tavern searching for "quests" and it slowed down my body and took over root processes and I was unable to login.

    --
    Orwell was an optimist.
  8. College Character Classes by happy_place · · Score: 4, Funny

    Going through college, I was like a level 50 Suck-up. I was so good at it, that once I got partial credit on a True/False question... I wonder what other sorts of character classes one could obtain at a University Dungeon.

    --
    http://www.beanleafpress.com
    1. Re:College Character Classes by kalirion · · Score: 2, Funny

      Hey, in the Real Game, my Level 80 Warlock is rather popular with the Blood Elf hotties....

  9. Re:This is still no remedy... by asliarun · · Score: 5, Funny

    Can I pay for a Chinese man to power-level me through school?

    Dude, he's already doing it.

  10. Obligatory bash.org reference by jonaskoelker · · Score: 4, Funny

    As long as nobody puts on their robe and wizard hat during the interview, I'm happy :)

  11. Re:So you have to work to level up? by JustOK · · Score: 4, Funny

    42

    --
    rewriting history since 2109
  12. Re:Change is motivational by Ozan · · Score: 4, Funny

    I think the more important aspect of this is the quick gratification this system provides. With todays attention span you need to reward people quicker and more often, but smaller.

    Anyway I can't wait for the first guy who goes "LEEROY JENKINS!" on his group assignment.

  13. They'll love World of Workforce by Rogerborg · · Score: 5, Funny

    A 50 year grind to max out, random nerfs and level wipes, and the end game reward is a 2-person Winnebago instance in the Florida server.

    --
    If you were blocking sigs, you wouldn't have to read this.
    1. Re:They'll love World of Workforce by chrysrobyn · · Score: 2, Funny

      A 50 year grind to max out, random nerfs and level wipes, and the end game reward is a 2-person Winnebago instance in the Florida server.

      If I had a guarantee of a 2 person Winnebago instance on the Florida server, life would be a lot easier to bear, even if I'd prefer 48 other states and a condo. Instead, I worry about actually making it to level 80 and suffering so many wipes and ganks that I'm stuck in the 70s before my subscription runs out.

  14. Re:sheer leveling? by LoverOfJoy · · Score: 4, Funny

    I don't think those are really girls. They are just guys hoping to get gifts.

  15. Re:Change is motivational by Internalist · · Score: 2, Funny

    Let me make an analogy we all understand. When you meet a girl [...]

    YMBNH.

    --
    Research is what I'm doing when I don't know what I'm doing. -- Wernher von Braun
  16. Re:sheer leveling? by sorak · · Score: 2, Funny

    I don't think those are really girls. They are just guys hoping to get gifts.

    So do you think this will lead to failing CS students showing up in drag?

    Level 3 Elfen Hottie WTJ Linked List Group

  17. Re:Change is motivational by meyekul · · Score: 2, Funny

    Let me make an analogy we all understand. When you meet a girl and ....

    I think you lost about 90% of us right there...