Most recent public comments by Kristin Lawlor https://nowcomment.com/users/31225 https://nowcomment.com/documents/66410?scroll_to=763894 https://nowcomment.com/documents/66410?scroll_to=763894 Great question! Tue, 06 Jun 2017 19:38:07 -0400 https://nowcomment.com/documents/66410?scroll_to=763893 https://nowcomment.com/documents/66410?scroll_to=763893 I'm left wondering if this isn't the ultimate difference between gaming and learning. In "learning," you never decisively "win". There is always more learning to be had. In that vein, are badges meaningful? If they don't ultimately lead to some sort of victory? I personally have used Duolingo, set up like a game, with badges. Some friends said that the badges motivated them...but i never quite felt like that. For me, I felt like I would never master all of a language. However, I was somewhat motivated by badges when I was using a dieting online app that awarded badges for certain goals...(How embarrassing to be sharing that here). There, though, there was a clear goal: lose X pounds. I felt like the badged measured progress towards that goal. The NYT crossword puzzle also tracks"streaks" and gives you gold stars for beating your fastest time. They are not quite badges, but I do find myself competing with myself to get more gold stars. Tue, 06 Jun 2017 19:43:12 -0400