Case Study

Gamified Professional Development for Teachers

(2019 Capstone)

Learning Experience Design | Enablement Strategy | Needs Analysis

This project documents the design of a gamified professional development program intended to improve teacher adoption of district-paid instructional tools by replacing lecture-style PD with self-paced, evidence-based learning “missions.” After stakeholder meetings and a shift in campus priorities, the project moved into a deeper planning phase supported by needs analysis data, including a staff survey with 39/40 responses that revealed underutilization of existing subscriptions and specific training needs. The proposed solution leveraged Alludo to structure PD into missions/levels with required and optional activities, artifact submission for accountability, badges for progress, and an optional incentive model—paired with a branded “adventure” theme to boost engagement and adoption.

Summary

I designed a gamified professional development program to increase adoption of district-paid instructional technology tools through self-paced learning missions, evidence-based practice, and stakeholder-supported rollout planning.

  • Teachers needed flexible, engaging PD that translated into classroom practice.

  • Paid tools were underused due to limited awareness/training.

  • LXD + program designer (needs analysis, learning architecture, rollout plan, stakeholder alignment)

  • Created a video walkthrough using Screencastify to document design decisions and implementation plan.

  • Scheduling leadership alignment across stakeholders

  • Shifting campus priorities (SEL focus)

  • Rollout later deferred due to COVID shutdowns

  • Discovery / Needs Analysis

    • Collected staff input via survey (39/40 responses) and prioritized training needs.

  • Design

    • Defined a gamified structure (missions/levels) and accountability model (evidence submission, reflection, peer sharing).

    • Planned blended delivery (kickoff + self-paced).

  • Stakeholder Alignment

    • Collaborated with leadership (4 stakeholders) and secured approval for the following school year.

  • Professional project plan + rollout timeline

  • Needs analysis summary (survey findings)

  • Program structure (missions/levels, evidence requirements)

  • Screencastify walkthrough video

  • Admin approval secured for implementation the following year

  • Implementation deferred due to COVID-related school shutdowns

  • Pilot with one grade level or team for 4–6 weeks

  • Add success metrics (completion, adoption, classroom evidence, satisfaction)

  • Iterate mission design based on analytics and feedback

Screencastify, Google Forms/Sheets (survey + analysis), LMS/PD ecosystem planning, Microsoft Word

Overview

Challenge

My Role

Constraints

What I Did

Deliverables

Outcomes

What I Would Do Next

Tools