A strategy for evaluating student performance using outputs that: naturally occur in the course of day-to-day learning; create frequent opportunities for feedback and revision; and expose students to data that can inform their decision-making.

Rules that describe the action of a game component and the qualities defining that action. A game character might be able to run or jump, for example―two different kinds of behaviors. Or a door might be assigned an “invisible” behavior, which means it will not appear on screen. Behaviors have certain qualities as well, like randomness or motion pat [..]

An important way to shape the experience of play. If the challenge of a game is too high for a player’s skills, he or she might become frustrated. If there is not enough challenge, boredom results. Ideally, games provide a perfectly calibrated degree of challenge.

See Game-based Learning.

An essential attribute of games that arises naturally from the interaction of game components and players pursuing goals in the face of obstacles. Game conflict comes in many forms: individual, team-based, cooperative, non-cooperative, direct or indirect.

A theory of learning that strives to connect and leverage all the various experiences, interests, communities and contexts in which learners participate―in and out of school―as potential learning opportunities.

The moment-to-moment activity of a player, repeated over and over throughout a game, such as trading, talking, shooting, guessing or conquering terrain. Compelling core mechanics are a must in effective game design.

A set of skills, competencies or dispositions relating to the highly iterative collaborative process designers employ when conceiving, planning and producing an object or system.

A strategy used by teachers and students during the learning process that provides feedback to inform decision-making and modify teaching and learning activities in which they are currently engaged. Often contrasted with summative assessment, which is used to assess achievement of learning outcomes.

A designed system in which players engage in artificial conflict, defined by rules and resulting in a quantifiable outcome. There are many different kinds of games, including card games, board games, computer games, video games, mobile games, dice games, online games, social games, role-playing games and physical games.