E-Learning Assessment--The Search For the Emerald Key--Part IV--Nature of Artifacts and the Second Scenario

In the previous post I described to you the nature of the assessment event and the goal of the first scenario. Instrumental to the first scenario is the ability of student teams to gather information in the form of artifacts or objects that they find in their environment.

The Nature of the Artifacts

One obvious conclusion that should have occurred to you is that this assessment event makes use of gamification elements. I would like to stress that although it uses these elements, this event is still about assessment and the needs of the learner.

The artifacts in the assessment event are of two types:

1. The primary artifacts are objects that will help them discover the location of the emerald key at the end of their journey. These artifacts when assembled will give them direction as to the location of the key and the door where the key fits. The key when inserted in the proper lock will open the door to an important discovery. These artifacts are distinguished from other artifacts by their green glow.
2. The second type of artifacts are objects that help to solve problems faced by the team on their journey. Throughout the journey they will be faced with challenging tasks where they will need to collaborate with each other and use each other talents to solve the problem and arrive at a solution. These artifacts are scattered throughout the environment. More on this in the walk through.

The Second Scenario

The second scenario is only entered into after the team has received feedback on their performance from the assessment team and their instructor. They now use the emerald key to open a new scenario which is a novel real world issue scenario that has been pre-chosen. It is here that they will also get a chance to put their acquired skills and collaborative expertise to the test.

Next...the Walk Through