Gamification Made Simple

A Guide for Higher Education Professionals

Glennda McKeithan, Ann Marshall

• Publisher: Bloomsbury Academic
• Year: 2026
• eBook ISBN: 9798881862152
• Edition: 1
• Topic: Education
• Subtopic: Higher Education

Gamification Made Simple: A Guide for Higher Education Professionals is designed to be a practical, approachable, and experience-driven resource for instructors who may be new to the concept of gamification or are already experimenting with game-based learning. Written by educators from different disciplines-special education and speech-language pathology-the book includes the perspectives of game designers, game players, and game masters. What began as a basic role-playing activity in a graduate course has evolved into an instructional framework that transforms student engagement by enabling them to apply what they are learning in a safe, real-world setting. Glennda McKeithan and Ann Marshall provide readers with a step-by-step guide for planning, designing, and implementing simple, game-based learning experiences through role-playing games (RPGs).

Table of contents

• Cover
• Praise for Gamification Made Simple
• Half Title
• Title Page
• Copyright Page
• Contents
• Foreword
• Acknowledgments
• Introduction
• Chapter 1: Introduction to Gamification in Higher Education
• Chapter 2: Team Engagement and Role Theory
• Chapter 3: Planning, Designing, and Implementing RPG Games
• Chapter 4: Game Mechanics for Meaningful Learning
• Chapter 5: Maximizing Engagement and Minimizing Problems
• Chapter 6: AI, Social Media, and the Future of RPGs in Higher Education
• Glossary of Terms
• References
• Appendix A: Examples of Detailed Avatar Bios Linked to Belbin’s Roles
• Appendix B: Belbin’s Team Roles Strengths and Weaknesses for Avatars
• Appendix C: RPG Example—Positive Behavior Intervention Support Team Collaborative Classroom Management Solutions
• Appendix D: School Leadership Team RPG Examples
• Appendix E: Individualized Education Program Team RPG Examples
• Appendix F: Marketing Teams RPG Example
• Appendix G: Marketing Team RPG Example
• Appendix H: Medical Team RPG Example
• Index
• About the Authors