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Insights

Gamification

Picture this - you're learning, but it feels like you're playing a game. That's the magic of gamification! By weaving in elements like points, badges, and leaderboards, suddenly even the most mundane tasks become an exciting challenge. 

It's like turning your learning journey into a quest, where every achievement unlocks new rewards and powers. Gamification taps into our natural desire for competition, exploration, and recognition, making the learning process more engaging and enjoyable.

Curriculum Progressions

Imagine learning as a grand adventure, where each step builds upon the last, leading you towards mastery. That's the essence of curriculum progressions - thoughtfully designed learning paths that guide you from novice to expert. Just as a skilled craftsman carefully selects and arranges his tools, curriculum designers create sequences that introduce new concepts and skills at just the right moments. 

By following these well-crafted progressions, learners can tackle increasingly complex challenges with confidence, knowing they have the foundation to succeed.
We have designed our learning experience and interactions so that students gain confidence, not in their ability to always get something right, but in attempting problems without the fear of failure

Design Decisions

Behind every great learning platform is a tapestry of design decisions, carefully woven to create an experience that is both effective and engaging. From the colors and layout of the interface to the way information is presented and interactions are crafted, each choice plays a role in shaping the learner's journey. 

It's a delicate balancing act, blending aesthetics with functionality, and ensuring that every element works harmoniously to support the learning process. The best design decisions are those that are invisible, creating an intuitive and seamless experience that keeps learners focused on what truly matters - the joy of discovery and growth.

Character Design

In the world of digital learning, characters are more than just cute faces - they're the guides, mentors, and companions that make the journey feel personal and engaging. Well-designed characters have the power to connect with learners on an emotional level, offering encouragement, humor, and support along the way. 

They can be the friendly face that welcomes you back after a long day, the wise sage that offers guidance during tough challenges, or the quirky sidekick that keeps you laughing and motivated. By crafting characters that are diverse, relatable, and authentic, designers can create a learning environment that feels inclusive, inviting, and truly human.

Lead Researcher

Patrick Dempsey
Patrick is the Director of the Office of Digital Teaching & Learning at Loyola University Maryland. He has an Ed.D. in Curriculum and Instruction, an M.B.A. in Organizational Management, an M.Div. in Professional Ministries, and M.A. in Pastoral Counseling. He has published and presented widely on all aspects of instructional design, the role of AI in education, communities of inquiry and transformative learning, and quality assurance across the curriculum. 

He is the author of Creating Transformative Online Communities in Higher Education (2021) and co-author of the chapter: Trauma Informed Course Design: Using neurobiological frameworks to understand the impacts of trauma and remove barriers to learning (2024).
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