Stop just playing games and start designing experiences! This session moves beyond standard review games like Jeopardy to explore true gamification—applying game mechanics as an immersive layer over your existing curriculum. In this session, you will learn to:
Distinguish between Game-Based Learning and Gamification.
Build Your World: Define your game's Theme and Setting to create a narrative that hooks students.
Master the Mechanics: Implement XP (Experience Points), Items that unlock privileges, and Badges to showcase student achievements.
Design Missions: Create Boss Battles for collaborative review and optional Side Quests
Social Studies Lead Teacher, Indian Trail Middle School, Olathe
Jordan Billings is a veteran teacher with college, high school and middle school teaching experience. For the past 13 years Jordan has been teaching 7th-grade history at Indian Trail Middle School, 8 years with a full gamified theme and setting.
Social Studies Teacher, Chisholm Trail Middle School
Ryan Stephans is a 21 year teaching veteran who has run a standards-based gamified class for the last 8 years. Ryan has taught 8th grade social studies in Olathe for 8 years, first at Summit Trail Middle School, and now at Chisholm Trail Middle School. His classroom philosophy centers... Read More →
Wednesday May 27, 2026 2:30pm - 4:00pm CDT Room 313
