Improve Failures, Completion, and Grades with Gamification!
Concurrent Session 7
Brief Abstract
In this presentation, we demonstrate that a gamified course overlay can improve failures, completion and grades — even for lower-performing teachers. The tools developed for this study draw on principles of behavioral economics, motivation theory, and learning cognition theory to help students WANT to improve and connect with teachers.
Presenters
Extended Abstract
Introduction
This presentation introduces Delphinium, an award-winning Canvas LMS plug-in that has been 10 years in the making. Dr. Chapman is a gamification and academic influence researcher, presenter, and publisher at Utah Valley University. Delphinium has been shown empirically to dramatically reduce withdrawals, failures, and dropouts, and increase grades. It quickly adds an engaging overlay to ANY Canvas course. It is research based and draws on principles of learning, motivation, and behavioral economics to help students WANT to perform. It also provides teachers with tools that make identifying and communicating with struggling students much easier. Delphinium does not require teachers to make changes to their course, and, thanks to its Configuration AI, it can be installed in a class in less than 15 minutes and it requires very little maintenance.
Participant Outcomes
Participants in this presentation will learn about cutting edge educational technology designed to effectively and efficiently reduce withdrawals, failures, and dropouts and improve academic outcomes. We will discuss foundational theory and the underlying model of academic influence upon which Delphinium is designed. Participants will also hear about case studies and academic research which illustrate Delphinium’s effectiveness. Dr. Chapman is an engaging speaker that has given presentations globally. The session will include an open format where attendees are invited to ask questions at any time and participate actively in the discussion and the direction of the conversation.
Summary
What does a face-to-face class have that online course materials are missing? The answer is "You,” the teacher. Online course materials are missing all that you bring to motivate and engage your students in the room with you. The way you capture students' attention; your personality and how you "connect" with them, and keep things interesting and fun; your ability to "catch students doing the right thing" and celebrate success; the time you take to guide students to higher performance and shepherd struggling students; how you give students the chance to express themselves and connect with other students; and the way you help students feel what needs to be done NOW.
Stark online materials are poor substitutes for all you do for your students. You help students grow as learners, build confidence, stay on task, and work well with others; and as a result, your students learn more, get better grades and find more success and completion.
With Delphinium, you can have all of this in online education too! Delphinium makes the online portion of our classes more ‘YOU’ and helps students WANT to learn. It is sometimes called a ‘skin’ or an "overlay" for courses that dramatically increases its engagement and motivating power. It also includes powerful tools to help teachers identify and communicate with struggling students. The results are striking improvements in completion and performance!
Delphinium is groundbreaking and innovative instructional technology that has successfully been deployed in synchronous and asynchronous environments. It is designed from the ground up to improve learning effectiveness and increase student engagement. It includes powerful tools that support teaching and the learning process by engaging students and making it easy for teachers to identify and communicate with struggling students, thus transforming the instructor/student dynamic. Delphinium customizes the learning environment to the specific motivational profiles of each student.
Background
More and more, education is moving online, allowing a broader spectrum of students to access courses from more diverse geographical locations. However, studies show completion can be significantly lower, and withdrawal rates can be significantly higher, for online classes, especially for students from historically underrepresented communities like low-income, minority, and underprepared students. These issues are compounded in a time where more students are required to do online course work due to the COVID pandemic. Delphinium can help. Delphinium has been shown to reduce withdrawals, dropouts, and failures, and improve performance. The following data from published and internal studies demonstrate Delphinium’s effectiveness in a variety of disciplines:
- Sociology: 68% fewer failing grades; 154% more A grades
- Health: 50% fewer failing grades
- Technology: 47% fewer failing grades, 65% fewer withdrawals and dropouts, and 10% higher grades
- Technology: Without Delphinium, an adjunct’s failure and dropout rates were 144% and 110% higher, and grades of B- and above where 40% lower when compared to a full-time faculty member; but with Delphinium, their academic outcomes were statistically identical
- Management: 72% of students reported that Delphinium was "more" or "much more" motivating than a traditional course; Students reported doing more quality work and having more fun!
Delphinium is especially useful at reducing failure, withdrawal, and dropout rates in large gateway courses and courses that are often taught by adjuncts.
What Students Say: “I would spend more time studying for this class than other classes.” “I saw that I was doing much better than I thought I was.” “I felt truly in control of my education.” “I knew what I had to do to reach my goal. I liked knowing that a little extra effort would make a difference.”
What Teachers Say: “Delphinium makes my on-line courses much more interactive.” “The messaging app and grade visualization tools are big time savers!” “Students feel they are getting constant personal attention and feedback.” “With Delphinium, students always know how they are progressing through the course.”
Return on Investment
Consider this example: Each year a large university spends $250M on all operational costs, and 3700 diplomas are awarded. The resulting cost per diploma is ~$67,000. If using Delphinium improved the graduation rate by 1%, 37 more students would graduate each year, lowering the cost per graduate by $670. As a result, $2.5M of taxpayer and tuition funds would be spent more efficiently, each year. More conservatively, if Delphinium improved graduation rates by even 1/10th of 1%, the result would still be $250K spent more efficiently each year. These numbers reflect only 1 institution; imagine how much more efficient we will be when many institutions used Delphinium!
Presenter Background
Dr. Jared R. Chapman has been researching, publishing, and developing tools in the area of educational engagement and influence for 10 years. His background includes a PhD in Applied Social Psychology, a Masters in Instructional Technology, and an MBA. He started his career as an instructional technologist before transitioning to become an Associate Professor of Organizational Leadership in the Woodbury School of Business at Utah Valley University. Dr. Chapman has successfully applied for and received numerous grants to support this project and has a proven track record of producing results.
[i] Sandy Baum, Michael McPherson; The Human Factor: The Promise & Limits of Online Education. Daedalus 2019; 148 (4): 235–254.
Jaggars, S. (2011). Online Learning: Does It Help Low-Income and Underprepared Students? (Assessment of Evidence Series).