Competition and Motivation

Each "Player" created a personal shield with symbols that
included their career aspirations, their Dakota heritage/culture,
and a personal strength or value. (more shield pictures soon)

Most teens enjoy video or computer games. It's always exciting to "level up" by figuring out a challenging puzzle, slaying a dragon or monster and rescuing someone, or discovering some trick that allows you to gain an advantage. Gamification means teams and individuals conquer many difficulties on a quest for something of great value.

This semester, the Juniors and Seniors taking Communication for Life Success and the Freshmen taking the new course Math Hacks for Life Success are challenging each other in the classroom-wide game we call Epic Quest. 

Epic Quest is a game played "over" the usual curriculum of the classroom. In other words, we learn the same curriculum, but we also play the game at the same time.

Instead of "homework," students can earn XP (experience points- it's a gamer term) for Solo Missions. Instead of class assignments, students earn XP for Hero's Labors. You don't get detention if you get in trouble. Instead, your team sentences you to hard labor (a writing or math assignment done in the "dungeon" of the classroom during lunch hour.)

Earning XP for his team!

A player (student) who clearly demonstrates the Dakota values and Performance Based Learner Outcomes earns Stakeholder XP for their contributions. And, one who earns Integrity XP has done so by demonstrating on-task behavior and a focus on doing their personal best in all class activities for the day.

Each student can "level up" (we have 20 levels!) according to their personal hard work and XP. But, in addition, each team (upper class v freshmen) competes to determine who, by the end of the quarter, will "conquer" the other. No violence- just lots and lots of collaboration, hard work, and focus!

As of today, the 11/12th graders have already earned over 404,000 XP; the Freshmen have already earned 395,000 XP. 

You can see their scores "live" here>> LINK<<