When games are approached as a pedagogical methodology, the homologies between games and technical communication are highlighted: pedagogy that teaches people to play and succeed within certain confines; classroom assessment that provides meaningful feedback to encourage self-improvement; instructional design that incorporates gaming theory and game design principles; and usability to ensure optimum success. This article provides an overview of these topics for instructors to consider when designing a technical writing course as a game.

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Author Biography

Carly Finseth, PhD, is an assistant professor of Technical Communication at Boise State University. Although her teaching and research interests are varied, they broadly include the intersections of teaching writing, gaming studies, instructional design, digital rhetoric, usability, and technology and culture.

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