Incorporating a Game Based Approach in the Orientation Package of an Online Course: A Case Study of UU204
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Online learning is in its infant stages in the South Pacific region and both the student and teacher have yet to fully comprehend its dynamics, demands and the pedagogies associated with this mode of learning. The Orientation Activity in UU204 was designed (using standard Moodle tools) to alleviate this problem and also address the issues encountered in the previous offerings of the course; it provides students with a preview of what to expect in this online course in an innovative and fun way. The orientation package used a gamification approach (Amazing Race). When a student has finished unpacking it, they would have answered most of their queries about the course and online learning. Students would also have accessed the support structures available within the course and the University, acquired the skills required of an online learner, and had a hands-on experience for the core Moodle tools that would be extensively used in the course. The main objective of the study was to examine whether the orientation had an impact on student online readiness and the attrition rates for the course. The research examined the course offer in two semesters and it involved an average of 770 students per semester. // Paper ID 423