Experience Points by Dave Eng, EdD

05.19.2024

Dan White on RoboCo and GBL at Filament Games

Dan White on RoboCo and GBL at Filament GamesIn this podcast episode, host Dave Eng interviews Dan White, founder of Filament Games, discussing the intersection of education and gaming. Dan's journey from teaching to game development is explored, emphasizing the...

05.05.2024

AP Table Talk: Tech Trees and Tech Tracks

AP Table Talk: Tech Trees and Tech TracksIn this episode of AP Table Talk, hosts Brian and Dave Eng focus on "tech tree" and “tech track” games. They emphasize how tech trees are a central component of many video games...

04.21.2024

Andrew Harris and the Guild Chronicles

Andrew Harris and the Guild ChroniclesIn this episode of "Experience Points" Dave Eng interviews Andrew Harris, a game designer, therapist, and educator behind The Guild Chronicles program. Andrew discusses the origins of The Guild Chronicles, a transformative game-based learning program...

04.07.2024

What is Choice Architecture?

What is Choice Architecture?On today’s episode, we’ll answer the question: What is Choice Architecture? Both life and games are full of choices. Some of us approach those choices head on. Others take their time to come to rational conclusions about...

03.24.2024

Sue Baechler on Developing Serious Games

Sue Baechler on Developing Serious GamesIn this episode, Dave Eng and Sue Baechler discuss the impact of learning games. Sue Baechler shares her journey from creating a sales game that broke records to starting her own learning game business. They...

03.10.2024

AP Table Talk: Rondel

AP Table Talk: RondelIn this episode of AP Table Talk, hosts Brian and Dave Eng focus on rondel games, where players move along a circular track to take actions. Dave introduces "Patchwork" as a significant game he played early in...

02.25.2024

Silviana Falcon on Lectures at Play

Silviana Falcon on Lectures at PlayIn this podcast episode, host Dave Eng discusses educational games and their integration into traditional lectures with guest Silviana Falcon. Silviana shares her experience of using educational games as fundamental components of her lectures over...

02.11.2024

Liminality, Transition, and Games

Liminality, Transition, and GamesOn today’s episode, we’ll discuss the concepts of Liminality, Transition, and Games. The term “liminal space” may not be familiar to you. But if you’ve ever made a transition from a physical place; a mental space; or...

01.28.2024

Clayton Whittle on Environmentalism and Games

Clayton Whittle on Environmentalism and GamesIn this podcast episode, host Dave Eng interviews Clayton Whittle, a researcher, educator, and environmentalist. Clayton's work centers around using game design to educate and motivate action in the realm of environmental education. He discusses...

01.14.2024

What are Tactics?

What are Tactics?On today’s episode, we’ll answer the question “What are Tactics?” Tactics are one of those concepts often discussed by gamers and designers alike. Especially when it comes to addressing playstyles, design, and competition. Tactics are often compared to...

12.31.2023

Terry Pearce on Untold Play and Applied Games

Terry Pearce on Untold Play and Applied GamesIn this episode of the Experience Points podcast, host Dave Eng interviews Terry Pearce, founder of Untold Play, a games-based learning expert. Pearce discusses how he helps trainers, educators, and designers incorporate gamification...

12.17.2023

Who are Casual Players?

Who are Casual Players?On today’s episode, we’ll answer the question “Who are Casual Players?” Casual players are often one of the most sought-after demographics for many in the games industry. They are players that often represent various backgrounds and have...

12.03.2023

Stefan McNinch from UnBoxEd

Stefan McNinch from UnBoxEdIn this episode, Dave Eng speaks with Stefan McNinch, a former elementary education teacher turned game designer who founded UnBoxEd, a nonprofit program using board games to engage low-income students in social-emotional learning, history, STEM, and entrepreneurship....

11.19.2023

The Ideal Board Game Player Part 2

The Ideal Board Game Player Part 2On today’s episode, we’ll answer the question “What makes the Ideal Board Game Player?” What makes the “ideal” board games player? Some say that it takes someone who fully understands the rules. Others would...

11.05.2023

The Ideal Board Game Player Part 1

The Ideal Board Game Player Part 1On today’s episode, we’ll answer the question “What makes the Ideal Board Game Player?” What makes the “ideal” board games player? Some say that it takes someone who fully understands the rules. Others would...

10.22.2023

What are Game Goals and Objectives?

What are Game Goals and Objectives?On today’s episode we’ll answer the question “What are Game Goals and Objectives?” Games provide players, users, and learners with opportunities and aspects for interaction for them to engage and pursue a specific outcome. Sometimes...

10.08.2023

What is Analysis Paralysis?

What is Analysis Paralysis?On today’s episode we’ll answer the question “What is Analysis Paralysis?” Virtually all games have decisions that need to be made. Some of those decisions are dependent on player goals; motivations; or otherwise incentives for them to...

09.24.2023

What is Strategy in Gameplay?

What is Strategy in Gameplay?On today’s episode we’ll answer the question “What is Strategy in Gameplay?” In-depth strategy is one of the hallmarks of intense video games, war games, simulations, and other forms of games that persist through popular culture....

09.10.2023

What is Yomi?

What is Yomi?On today’s episode we’ll answer the question “What is Yomi?” There are many reasons why people play games. One of the most engaging reasons that some play is to compete against other players. There is a visceral thrill...

08.27.2023

Naomi Pariseault and HerStory

Naomi Pariseault and HerStoryIn this episode of "Experience Points" by University XP, Dave Eng and Naomi Pariseault discuss the educational value of the board game "HerStory." They explore its gameplay mechanics, the connection to learning design, and its potential as...

08.13.2023

AP Table Talk: Pick-up and Deliver

AP Table Talk: Pick-up and DeliverIn this episode of AP Table Talk, Brian and Dave discuss pick-up and deliver games. They start by reminiscing about their experiences with such games, including their favorite titles like Bus and Flash Point: Fire...

07.30.2023

Ray Kimball 42 Ed Games & Military Background

Ray Kimball 42 Ed Games & Military BackgroundIn this episode of Experience Points by University XP, host Dave Eng interviews Dr. Ray Kimball, the founder of 42 Educational Games Coaching and Design. Kimball discusses his experience teaching at West Point...

07.16.2023

How do I Adapt Games for Learning?

How do I Adapt Games for Learning?On today’s episode we’ll answer the question “How do I Adapt Games for Learning?” Most people know games as vehicles for fun, entertainment and socialization. Elements of games – through gamification – can also...

07.02.2023

AP Table Talk: Mancala

AP Table Talk: MancalaIn this episode of AP Table Talk, Brian and Dave Eng discuss board games that utilize the Mancala mechanic, which involves moving pieces along a board with hollows or pockets. They start by reminiscing about Dave’s childhood...

06.18.2023

How do you Design Games for Flow State?

How do you Design Games for Flow State?On today’s episode we’ll answer the question “How do you Design Games for Flow State?” Flow is a very sought after experience in game design. It’s really engaging and enthralling because players lose...

06.04.2023

AP Table Talk: Grid Coverage

AP Table Talk: Grid Coverage In the first episode of AP Table Talk, a podcast that explores board games, Brian and Dave Eng discuss the Grid Coverage mechanic. They define the mechanic as players covering a grid or filling a...

05.21.2023

What is Player Relevance?

What is Player Relevance?On today’s episode we’ll answer the question “What is Player Relevance?” Players play games for multiple different reasons. Many of those reasons have to do with their sense of intrinsic or extrinsic motivation. No matter the...

05.07.2023

What is Player Scaffolding?

What is Player Scaffolding?On today’s episode we’ll answer the question “What is Player Scaffolding?”Many people can just jump right into games. They take one look at it and they already “get it” and know how to play. Whereas other...

04.23.2023

Introducing AP Table Talk

Introducing AP Table TalkIn this podcast episode, Dave Eng and his cousin Brian discuss their new podcast called AP Table Talk. They explain that the show will explore different board game mechanics such as area control and deck building, and...

04.09.2023

What is Game Balance?

What is Game Balance?On today’s episode we’ll answer the question “What is Game Balance?” Many gamers often don’t think about “balance” when playing a game. But they should. That’s because balance creates and shapes what should be a positive experience....

03.26.2023

What is Player Reflection?

What is Player Reflection?On today’s episode we’ll answer the question “What is Player Reflection?” Games-based learning is a form of experiential learning. Through games-based learning players experience something concrete such as game play. Instructors, educators, and moderators then lead...

03.12.2023

Debriefing Games-Based Learning

Debriefing Games-Based LearningOn today’s episode we’ll answer how to Debrief Games-Based Learning. Using games for teaching and learning is the basis for games-based learning. But, educators and instructors don’t just play games with students or ask their students to play...

02.26.2023

What is Expectancy Theory?

What is Expectancy Theory?On today’s episode we’ll answer the question: “What is Expectancy Theory?” Thinking about why we do something is often a central part of all of our activities. Those include why we work, play, or form relationships with...

02.12.2023

How do players create meaning in games?

How do players create meaning in games?On today’s episode we’ll cover how players create meaning in games. Creating and making meaning is something that everyone does at every point of their day. Creating meaning is one of the hallmarks of...

01.29.2023

Applied Games-Based Learning

Applied Games-Based LearningOn today’s episode we’ll cover Applied Games-Based Learning. Games-based learning can be a powerful tool for educators. That’s because it allows them to use established games for teaching, learning, training, and education. But how exactly do you apply...

01.15.2023

Playing Serious Games

Playing Serious GamesOn today’s episode we’ll cover Playing Serious Games. Serious games are games created from the ground up for teaching and learning. These also include games created for a social purpose outside of the more tradition paths of games...

01.01.2023

Designing learning games with players in mind

Designing learning games with players in mind On today’s episode we’ll cover designing learning games with players in mind. Games are powerful tools for teaching; entertaining; and learning. Playing games is almost always an enjoyable activity. However, designing educational games...

12.18.2022

How to teach someone to play a game

How to teach someone to play a gameOn today’s episode we’ll cover “How to teach someone to play a game.” Bringing someone into gaming is one of the most rewarding aspects of the community. Games provide many great benefits. They...

12.04.2022

What is Kingmaking?

What is Kingmaking?On today’s episode we’ll answer the question “What is Kingmaking?” Sometimes you’ll play a competitive game where you realize that you can’t win anymore. It’s kind of depressing to think about. However, there are things that you can...

11.20.2022

How many players should a game include?

How many players should a game include?On today’s episode we’ll answer the question “How many players should a game include?” Playing games often means playing with other people. That means that we often take into account how many players a...

11.06.2022

Distributed Practice in Games-Based Learning

Distributed Practice in Games-Based LearningOn today’s episode we’ll examine Distributed Practice in Games-Based Learning. You are probably familiar with “cramming” and studying as much as possible in the time leading up to a test. The opposite of this is “distributed...

10.30.2022

What is Grokking?

What is Grokking?On today’s episode we’ll answer the question: “What is Grokking?” You may have heard the word “Grok” before but may not have known what it meant. Grokking is used by different people and in different contexts. Usually, people...

10.16.2022

What is Constructivism?

What is Constructivism?On today’s episode we’ll answer the question: “What is Constructivism?” Learning is the transformation of experience into knowledge. That means that learning is the construction of knowledge through the learner. We are learning when we are playing games....

10.02.2022

What is Self-Determination Theory?

What is Self-Determination Theory?On today’s episode we’ll answer the question: “What is Self-Determination Theory?” Making sure that your players have autonomy in your game is important. They need to know that they have the agency and the ability to do...

09.18.2022

What is a Knowledge Check?

What is a Knowledge Check?On today’s episode we’ll answer the question: “What is a Knowledge Check?”Making sure that learners are learning what they need to learn is important. That’s especially important when teaching something critical, applicable, or related to something...

09.04.2022

Making games visually accessible

Making games visually accessibleOn today’s episode we’ll cover how to make games more visually accessibleMost people think games are just for play and entertainment. But you can also use games for teaching and learning through games-based learning, gamification, serious games,...

08.21.2022

Game Mechanics for Learning

Game Mechanics for Learning On today’s episode we’ll cover how to use game mechanics for learning.Game mechanics are the rules and procedures that guide players through the game. These mechanics also provide the structure for how the...

08.07.2022

What are Megagames?

What are Megagames?On today’s episode we’ll answer the question: “What are Megagames?”Most people have played games at some point in their lives. They can be table top games, card games, board games, playground games, video games, console games, or computer...

07.24.2022

What makes a good rule book?

What makes a good rule book?On today’s episode we’ll answer the question: “What makes a good rule book?” Rulebooks are one of the first things that players turn to after they’ve decided to play your game. Players turn to...

07.10.2022

What is Intrinsic Motivation?

What is Intrinsic Motivation?On today’s episode we’ll answer the question: “What is a Intrinsic Motivation?”We don’t need to be reminded to play games. We play games because we want to. We’re motivated to play because we’re attracted to them. We...

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