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Using Game Mechanics to Get Parents to Watch Test Orientation Videos

I just got done watching six orientation videos for my 4th grader’s upcoming standardized test, which cleverly used game mechanics (perhaps unbeknownst to the school, Keysor Elementary) to make sure we watched them.

First the students were offered two rewards if we, the parents, watch them without the students - a pencil and a chance in a drawing for some books. Simple enough, but to make sure we watch them a secret word was included in each video. We had to watch the videos, write down the secret words, and then give the words to our daughter to unscramble. Once unscrambled, written on the form and brought to class she gets her reward.

I was impressed with how clever this was - the scavenger hunt for the word inside each video, the puzzle to engage the student, and the reward to get them to follow through. A great way to get us to spend the 20 minutes, and a great case study for other schools, as well as content required by compliance in a corporate setting. Or Dharma.

© 2010 Nathan Verrill.