(GWC 2016 Session) Engagement and Retention through Mobile Gamification in Higher Education with Ball State Achievements

Engagement & Retention through Mobile Gamification in Higher Education with Ball

State Achievements

Scott Reinke, Coord. for Ball State Achievements

Ball State University

Muncie, Indiana, USA

@ScottReinke

*Brittanie Middleton, Director of Finance and Budgets is here too! Wave Brittanie!


The Problem• Low-income students are

significantly less likely to earn a Bachelor’s Degree by age 24.

• Pell Grant recipients at Ball State persist at an 8% lower rate from freshman to sophomore year.

• Pell Grant student 4-year graduation rate is ~20% lower

• 1/3 of all Ball State students are Pell Grant recipients

Indicators of Higher Education Equity in the US: 45-Year Trend Report,The Pell Institute for the Study of Opportunity in Higher Education

The Research

“A recent U.S. Department of Education publication identified

specific strategies found to be effective in increasing college

retention and completion. Services should be: 1) integrated —

building and reinforcing each other; 2) sustained — one

semester is not considered enough; and 3) systematic — having

an overall plan and promoting a culture of success.”

Sixteen Strategies for Widening Equity of Participation in Higher Education in the United States: Reflections from International Comparisons, Margaret Cahalan, Ph.D.

The Research

“Student engagement—a range of behaviors that institutions can influence with teaching practices and programmatic interventions

… positively affects grades in both the first and last year of college as well as persistence to the second year at the same

institution, even after controlling for a host of pre-college characteristics... Second, engagement has a compensatory effect

on first-year grades and persistence to the second year of college at the same institution. That is, while exposure to

effective educational practices generally benefits all students, the effects are even greater for lower ability students…”

Unmasking the Effects of Student Engagement on First-Year College Grades and Persistence.The Journal of Higher Education, Volume 79, Number 5, September/October 2008, pp. 540-563 (Article)

The ResearchIn terms of recommendations for further action… First, it is important to

encourage student engagement in campus activities… Positive peer influence can be a powerful and effective means to keep students

motivated and happy. Second, participants who were more motivated and self-disciplined were also those who were more independent. For those students who are less independent or who do not usually reach out for

advice and support, it will be helpful for the University to have a mechanism that can reach these students regularly to make sure they are on track towards academic success. Finally, computer and mobile devices that can access the internet are commonly used among students. Apps or system features that can keep students informed about campus activities, help

students manage their schedule and time allocation, and motivate students to utilize more campus resources can all be helpful for students

to thrive in college.

Breakthrough Models Incubator (BMI) Project: Focus Group ReportBall State Office of Institutional Effectiveness, Dr. Wen Qi

Recap

• Retention initiatives should be• Integrated

• Sustained

• Systematic

• Engagement with an institution is more impactful for at-risk students

• Advice as per BSU student research• Encourage student

engagement

• Foster positive peer relationships

• Create Mechanisms for engagement

• Students use apps

Ball State Achievements App

How achievements are awarded

• Currently in use• Location

• Location + Time (Events)

• API Integration (Card Swipes)

• Manual .CSV Upload

• In testing (currently buggy)• PIN code

• Combo

• Survey

Things Achievements Does Well

• Introduce students to campus resources

• Encourage safe, beneficial recreation

• Promote routines and planning

• Incentivize shared experiences

• Offer meaningful & useful rewards

Introduce Students to Campus Resources

• Landmarks & Instructional Buildings

• Dining Options

• Academic & Career Support Services

• Student Groups



• Dining Options


• Student Groups



• Dining Options


• Student Groups



• Dining Options


• Student Groups

Encourage Safe, Beneficial Recreation

• Cultural Events

• University Programming

• Athletic Events


• Cultural Events


• Athletic Events


• Cultural Events


• Athletic Events

Promote Routines & Planning

• Rec Center

• Study at the Library

• Registering Early for Class

• “Add to Calendar” feature

• “Featured” achievements


• Rec Center






• Rec Center






• Rec Center






• Rec Center





Incentivize Shared Experiences

• Grouping Bonus

Incentivize Shared Experiences

Offer Meaningful & Useful Rewards

• Apparel & Swag for school spirit

• Mom & Dad merch for agency

• Academic & art supplies for support

• Cyclical rewards for experiences
















Student Testimonial

“I am an introverted commuter and this app has definitely gotten

me to go to school more often. It has actually helped me a lot. I

can afford to buy paper now for my art classes! And, I can buy a

gift for my parents now! It is good to finally feel reward for doing

well in my classes.”

Question: Has Achievements helped you in any way?

Student Testimonial

“Definitely. It made me realize what all is available on campus, as

a freshman, I was very thankful for that.”


Student Testimonial

“I got a hoodie.

I am happy.”


Stats

• 1525 – Total Users

• 1400 – On Waiting List

• 58,296 – Achievements Earned

• 1593 – Items Purchased

• *Study in the Library has been earned over 1000 times this semester.

Retention Results

• Fall 2014 Cohort FRSO• Pell App Users: 79% (+ 4%)

• Pell Non-App Users: 75%

• Overall Retention: 81%

• Fall 2014 Cohort SOJR• Pell App Users: 74% (+ 8%)



• Fall 2015 Cohort FRSO• Pell App Users: 81% (+ 9%)




State Achievements




@ScottReinke

*Brittanie Middleton, Director of Budget & Finance is here too! Wave Brittanie!

Questions?


State Achievements




@ScottReinke

*Brittanie Middleton, Director of Budget & Finance is here too! Wave Brittanie!

Thank You!