ABSTRACT
Chapter 4 provides practical resources for instructors to use when leveraging gamification and social media applications to connect and engage learners in online courses. Social technologies and game-based-learning applications have created many possibilities for sharing and transferring knowledge and information to online learners. Game-based learning elements and social media tools that integrate into the learning process can foster student motivation through the use of progress indicators, leaderboards, and polls. Key topics covered in Chapter 4 include digital games for learning, privacy and confidentiality, instructional design, and social media in the online classroom. This chapter also discusses how learners can use their problem-solving and critical thinking skills to meet the required learning outcomes and goals in online courses, while providing learners a platform to be more collaborative and express themselves in creative ways.
