Gamification in Education: Hype or Useful Teacher Tool?

Presented by:

Dr. Deborah Healey, University of Oregon/TESOL International Association

Language teachers have long used games, but gamification – the use of game elements in non-game settings – is a recent concept. Businesses use gamification (points and badges) to increase customer loyalty. In education, is gamification "trendy," or could we use the motivating elements of gaming to re-think the classroom? This presentation will describe how I incorporated gamification into courses for pre-service and in-service teachers, and how the teacher-learners responded. I will also offer ways to get started for those who are interested. This Keynote presentation will be a remote presentation and displayed in a large room at the conference on a big screen with amplified sound and a moderator will be present.

Learning and Resilience

Presented by:

Asmaa Cober, Clinical Social Worker at Sanctuary Refugee Health Centre

Learning never happens in a vacuum. People bring all of their experiences with them to the classroom. Newcomers (and refugees in particular) have a life history -- experiences that greatly affect their ability to learn. Drawing on Asmaa’s experience working with refugees from various parts of the world, we’ll discuss the impact of the immigration and refugee experience, including various traumas, on the brain, and the obstacles to learning that ensue. We will also propose a different viewpoint that focuses not just on obstacles, but on hope and resiliency – with the goal of helping students to overcome these obstacles.