{"id":10097,"date":"2024-10-17T08:00:32","date_gmt":"2024-10-17T07:00:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.sussex.ac.uk\/tel\/?p=10097"},"modified":"2024-11-14T17:42:58","modified_gmt":"2024-11-14T17:42:58","slug":"games-narratives-and-emotional-connection-in-online-distance-learning-in-conversation-with-brena-collyer-de-aguiar","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.sussex.ac.uk\/tel\/2024\/10\/17\/games-narratives-and-emotional-connection-in-online-distance-learning-in-conversation-with-brena-collyer-de-aguiar\/","title":{"rendered":"Games, Narratives and Emotional Connection in Online Distance Learning: In Conversation with Brena Collyer De Aguiar"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<figure class=\"wp-block-audio\"><audio controls src=\"https:\/\/blogs.sussex.ac.uk\/tel\/files\/2024\/10\/20241017_Brena_Collyer_De_Aguiar.mp3\"><\/audio><figcaption>Click here to listen to the original interview<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Simon Overton:<\/strong><br>Today I am joined by Brena Collyer De Aguiar, Online Distance Learning Manager focusing on Course Development and Delivery, and Senior Learning Technologist for ODL. Welcome, Brena.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Brena Collyer De Aguiar:<\/strong><br>Thank you, Simon.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Simon:<\/strong><br>Why don\u2019t we start by you telling me exactly what you do? What do you get up to every day?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Brena:<\/strong><br>Basically, as a Senior Learning Technologist, I support academics involved with the ODL courses we have at Sussex. This includes supporting them in teaching, developing, or refreshing modules. I also deliver training, encouraging academics to innovate and improve their teaching practices.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>As ODL Manager, I liaise with our partners for course development, best practice reviews, accessibility, and incorporating technology to enhance learning engagement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Simon:<\/strong><br>ODL is, I think, one of the shining stars of Education Enhancement at Sussex. Why don\u2019t you describe what ODL actually is and what we offer?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Brena:<\/strong><br>We offer nine fully online courses, including Master\u2019s courses, PGCEs, PGDIPs, and a CPD course. Our students are around the world\u2014in about 150 countries last time we counted.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Simon:<\/strong><br>Do you know how many students have gone through the ODL?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Brena:<\/strong><br>Our courses are built to be flexible, so students can join at different points and take breaks when needed for careers or family commitments. I think the last intake was about 900 students, with others on break or graduated already.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Simon:<\/strong><br>So, you\u2019ve been involved in a project called Project Dandelion. Dandelions are lovely, but I\u2019m sure it\u2019s not just about dandelions. What is it actually about?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Brena:<\/strong><br>The project gamifies a module on sustainable development. One of our academics, Lucila Newell, the module leader, noticed students were feeling depressed studying issues like food waste and climate change. In response, we decided to gamify the module to engage students more positively. Students complete missions, quests, and challenges in a narrative-driven experience where they travel back from a future where climate issues have been resolved to understand the solutions that got us there.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The narrative includes time travel, and we place students in a setting where climate issues are already solved. Their role is to document what was done to achieve this, not to &#8220;save the world.&#8221; The dandelion symbol represents spreading seeds of change and healing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Simon:<\/strong><br>That&#8217;s so lovely. I noticed that instead of modules, you\u2019ve got missions\u2014correct?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Brena:<\/strong><br>Yes. We added gamified elements like missions, quests, and challenges. We also encourage students to connect with their emotions and environment. They can choose avatars like animals or plants that inspire change in them, and they work in groups to find and connect with people in their communities promoting change. The game focuses on narrative rather than high-tech elements.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Simon:<\/strong><br>What\u2019s been the feedback from students?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Brena:<\/strong><br>Most students find it engaging and enjoy the group work and leaderboards we added for scoring. Some felt the gamified module was demanding due to other commitments, so we made adjustments like flexible deadlines and clear expectations. We also explained the pedagogical purpose of gamification, showing it as a tool for deeper learning.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Simon:<\/strong><br>This approach addresses so many educational concerns\u2014group engagement, real-world application, participation. Do you think gamification could apply to other topics, or is it particularly suited to sustainability?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Brena:<\/strong><br>I think gamification, especially through narrative and role-playing, works well for some topics but isn\u2019t suited for all. It\u2019s about using the right tool for the right purpose. Not every module needs to be gamified; it\u2019s about choosing methodologies that genuinely enhance learning.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Simon:<\/strong><br>Yes, it\u2019s <em>a<\/em> tool rather than <em>the<\/em> tool.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Brena:<\/strong><br>Exactly. Coming from a background with limited resources, I believe tools and technologies should only be applied if there\u2019s a solid pedagogical reason for them. It\u2019s about improving the student experience, not just making things fun.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Simon:<\/strong><br>You introduced Project Dandelion at the Playful Learning Conference. Do you want to reflect on that experience?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Brena:<\/strong><br>It was fantastic to connect with people using playfulness in education, especially on big topics that impact us all. Playfulness encourages creativity and bravery because there\u2019s no real risk in a game, and it allows us to connect emotionally. Play and joy were recently recognised in Universal Design for Learning guidelines, so it\u2019s encouraging to know we\u2019re heading in the right direction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Simon:<\/strong><br>Incredibly innovative as well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Brena:<\/strong><br>I hope so! I\u2019m grateful for my background. My primary school teacher used role-playing games to teach history and philosophy, sparking my interest. Later, in my degree, I joined a research group on games and narratives in learning. That experience has guided my approach to innovative teaching.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>This conversation was recorded on 17 October 2024. AI was used to edit the raw transcript into a more \u201creadable\u201d article but was checked by our team for language and meaning before publishing.<\/em><\/p>\n<div class=\"sharedaddy sd-sharing-enabled\"><div class=\"robots-nocontent sd-block sd-social sd-social-icon sd-sharing\"><h3 class=\"sd-title\">Share this:<\/h3><div class=\"sd-content\"><ul><li class=\"share-twitter\"><a rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\" data-shared=\"sharing-twitter-10097\" class=\"share-twitter sd-button share-icon no-text\" href=\"https:\/\/blogs.sussex.ac.uk\/tel\/2024\/10\/17\/games-narratives-and-emotional-connection-in-online-distance-learning-in-conversation-with-brena-collyer-de-aguiar\/?share=twitter\" target=\"_blank\" title=\"Click to share on Twitter\"><span><\/span><span class=\"sharing-screen-reader-text\">Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)<\/span><\/a><\/li><li class=\"share-facebook\"><a rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\" data-shared=\"sharing-facebook-10097\" class=\"share-facebook sd-button share-icon no-text\" href=\"https:\/\/blogs.sussex.ac.uk\/tel\/2024\/10\/17\/games-narratives-and-emotional-connection-in-online-distance-learning-in-conversation-with-brena-collyer-de-aguiar\/?share=facebook\" target=\"_blank\" title=\"Click to share on Facebook\"><span><\/span><span class=\"sharing-screen-reader-text\">Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)<\/span><\/a><\/li><li class=\"share-tumblr\"><a rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\" data-shared=\"\" class=\"share-tumblr sd-button share-icon no-text\" href=\"https:\/\/blogs.sussex.ac.uk\/tel\/2024\/10\/17\/games-narratives-and-emotional-connection-in-online-distance-learning-in-conversation-with-brena-collyer-de-aguiar\/?share=tumblr\" target=\"_blank\" title=\"Click to share on Tumblr\"><span><\/span><span class=\"sharing-screen-reader-text\">Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window)<\/span><\/a><\/li><li class=\"share-print\"><a rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\" data-shared=\"\" class=\"share-print sd-button share-icon no-text\" href=\"https:\/\/blogs.sussex.ac.uk\/tel\/2024\/10\/17\/games-narratives-and-emotional-connection-in-online-distance-learning-in-conversation-with-brena-collyer-de-aguiar\/\" target=\"_blank\" title=\"Click to print\"><span><\/span><span class=\"sharing-screen-reader-text\">Click to print (Opens in new window)<\/span><\/a><\/li><li class=\"share-pinterest\"><a rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\" data-shared=\"sharing-pinterest-10097\" class=\"share-pinterest sd-button share-icon no-text\" href=\"https:\/\/blogs.sussex.ac.uk\/tel\/2024\/10\/17\/games-narratives-and-emotional-connection-in-online-distance-learning-in-conversation-with-brena-collyer-de-aguiar\/?share=pinterest\" target=\"_blank\" title=\"Click to share on Pinterest\"><span><\/span><span class=\"sharing-screen-reader-text\">Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)<\/span><\/a><\/li><li class=\"share-pocket\"><a rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\" data-shared=\"\" class=\"share-pocket sd-button share-icon no-text\" href=\"https:\/\/blogs.sussex.ac.uk\/tel\/2024\/10\/17\/games-narratives-and-emotional-connection-in-online-distance-learning-in-conversation-with-brena-collyer-de-aguiar\/?share=pocket\" target=\"_blank\" title=\"Click to share on Pocket\"><span><\/span><span class=\"sharing-screen-reader-text\">Click to share on Pocket (Opens in new window)<\/span><\/a><\/li><li class=\"share-end\"><\/li><\/ul><\/div><\/div><\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Simon Overton:Today I am joined by Brena Collyer De Aguiar, Online Distance Learning Manager focusing on Course Development and Delivery, and Senior Learning Technologist for ODL. Welcome, Brena. Brena Collyer De Aguiar:Thank you, Simon. Simon:Why don\u2019t we start by you<span class=\"ellipsis\">&hellip;<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"read-more\"><a href=\"https:\/\/blogs.sussex.ac.uk\/tel\/2024\/10\/17\/games-narratives-and-emotional-connection-in-online-distance-learning-in-conversation-with-brena-collyer-de-aguiar\/\">Read more &#8250;<\/a><\/div>\n<p><!-- end of .read-more --><\/p>\n<div class=\"sharedaddy sd-sharing-enabled\"><div class=\"robots-nocontent sd-block sd-social sd-social-icon sd-sharing\"><h3 class=\"sd-title\">Share this:<\/h3><div class=\"sd-content\"><ul><li class=\"share-twitter\"><a rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\" data-shared=\"sharing-twitter-10097\" class=\"share-twitter sd-button share-icon no-text\" href=\"https:\/\/blogs.sussex.ac.uk\/tel\/2024\/10\/17\/games-narratives-and-emotional-connection-in-online-distance-learning-in-conversation-with-brena-collyer-de-aguiar\/?share=twitter\" target=\"_blank\" title=\"Click to share on Twitter\"><span><\/span><span class=\"sharing-screen-reader-text\">Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)<\/span><\/a><\/li><li class=\"share-facebook\"><a rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\" data-shared=\"sharing-facebook-10097\" class=\"share-facebook sd-button share-icon no-text\" href=\"https:\/\/blogs.sussex.ac.uk\/tel\/2024\/10\/17\/games-narratives-and-emotional-connection-in-online-distance-learning-in-conversation-with-brena-collyer-de-aguiar\/?share=facebook\" target=\"_blank\" title=\"Click to share on Facebook\"><span><\/span><span class=\"sharing-screen-reader-text\">Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)<\/span><\/a><\/li><li class=\"share-tumblr\"><a rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\" data-shared=\"\" class=\"share-tumblr sd-button share-icon no-text\" href=\"https:\/\/blogs.sussex.ac.uk\/tel\/2024\/10\/17\/games-narratives-and-emotional-connection-in-online-distance-learning-in-conversation-with-brena-collyer-de-aguiar\/?share=tumblr\" target=\"_blank\" title=\"Click to share on Tumblr\"><span><\/span><span class=\"sharing-screen-reader-text\">Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window)<\/span><\/a><\/li><li class=\"share-print\"><a rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\" data-shared=\"\" class=\"share-print sd-button share-icon no-text\" href=\"https:\/\/blogs.sussex.ac.uk\/tel\/2024\/10\/17\/games-narratives-and-emotional-connection-in-online-distance-learning-in-conversation-with-brena-collyer-de-aguiar\/\" target=\"_blank\" title=\"Click to print\"><span><\/span><span class=\"sharing-screen-reader-text\">Click to print (Opens in new window)<\/span><\/a><\/li><li class=\"share-pinterest\"><a rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\" data-shared=\"sharing-pinterest-10097\" class=\"share-pinterest sd-button share-icon no-text\" href=\"https:\/\/blogs.sussex.ac.uk\/tel\/2024\/10\/17\/games-narratives-and-emotional-connection-in-online-distance-learning-in-conversation-with-brena-collyer-de-aguiar\/?share=pinterest\" target=\"_blank\" title=\"Click to share on Pinterest\"><span><\/span><span class=\"sharing-screen-reader-text\">Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)<\/span><\/a><\/li><li class=\"share-pocket\"><a rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\" data-shared=\"\" class=\"share-pocket sd-button share-icon no-text\" href=\"https:\/\/blogs.sussex.ac.uk\/tel\/2024\/10\/17\/games-narratives-and-emotional-connection-in-online-distance-learning-in-conversation-with-brena-collyer-de-aguiar\/?share=pocket\" target=\"_blank\" title=\"Click to share on Pocket\"><span><\/span><span class=\"sharing-screen-reader-text\">Click to share on Pocket (Opens in new window)<\/span><\/a><\/li><li class=\"share-end\"><\/li><\/ul><\/div><\/div><\/div>","protected":false},"author":419,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"spay_email":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_is_tweetstorm":false},"categories":[193241,171406,193239,43416],"tags":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p4IWEK-2CR","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_likes_enabled":false,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":9879,"url":"https:\/\/blogs.sussex.ac.uk\/tel\/2024\/03\/14\/a-framework-to-change-the-world-introducing-the-universal-design-for-learning\/","url_meta":{"origin":10097,"position":0},"title":"A Framework to Change the World? Introducing the Universal Design for Learning","date":"14th March 2024","format":false,"excerpt":"by Brena Collyer de Aguiar, Senior Learning Technologist, Online Distance Learning, University of Sussex WARNING: This blog is a provocation and probably contains too much hope, romanticism and motivation for change. Many years ago I tried to get a job at FUNAI (the National Indian Foundation) which protects the culture\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Educational Enhancement&quot;","img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.sussex.ac.uk\/tel\/files\/2024\/03\/UDL-Pic-1-1.png?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":9526,"url":"https:\/\/blogs.sussex.ac.uk\/tel\/2023\/06\/01\/education-festival-2023\/","url_meta":{"origin":10097,"position":1},"title":"Education Festival 2023","date":"1st June 2023","format":false,"excerpt":"Last month, 46 colleagues participated in the first ever Education Festival at Sussex. The sun was shining on the ACCA on May 4th, perfect for a half-day dedicated to sharing good practice, research and innovation in teaching and learning.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Kelly Coate After some refreshments, we began the day with a\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Events&quot;","img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.sussex.ac.uk\/tel\/files\/2023\/06\/image.jpeg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":9180,"url":"https:\/\/blogs.sussex.ac.uk\/tel\/2022\/05\/27\/tel-events-round-up\/","url_meta":{"origin":10097,"position":2},"title":"TEL Events round-up","date":"27th May 2022","format":false,"excerpt":"April and May saw the return of in person events for Technology Enhanced Learning. The three events below highlight just how diverse the work of TEL is, from Online Distance Learning, to Playful Pedagogies, via Digital Personas, there was something for everyone. Don\u2019t forget to keep an eye on our\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Events&quot;","img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.sussex.ac.uk\/tel\/files\/2022\/05\/IMG_4832.jpeg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":9223,"url":"https:\/\/blogs.sussex.ac.uk\/tel\/2022\/06\/21\/the-online-global-festival-of-active-learning\/","url_meta":{"origin":10097,"position":3},"title":"The online Global Festival of Active Learning","date":"21st June 2022","format":false,"excerpt":"In 2022 the Active Learning Network, with the University of Sussex, Anglia Ruskin University, University of Glasgow, the University of Coventry and other key universities, hosted the second Global Online Festival of Active Learning. The Active Learning Network is a global community supporting the development of teaching and assessment practices\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Events&quot;","img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.sussex.ac.uk\/tel\/files\/2022\/06\/C473664C-8BB4-45A6-A5E5-4600E036C648.png?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":9997,"url":"https:\/\/blogs.sussex.ac.uk\/tel\/2024\/06\/20\/adventures-of-an-online-distance-learning-librarian\/","url_meta":{"origin":10097,"position":4},"title":"Adventures of an Online Distance Learning Librarian","date":"20th June 2024","format":false,"excerpt":"by Sarah Ison, Online Distance Learning Manager and Online Distance Learning Librarian Time flies when you're passionate about your work\u2014or maybe it's just a side effect of spending too much time on Zoom. Image generated by Adobe Firefly This November, I\u2019ll celebrate six years as the Online Distance Learning (ODL)\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Educational Enhancement&quot;","img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.sussex.ac.uk\/tel\/files\/2024\/06\/Firefly-cartoon-of-librarian-11883.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":9965,"url":"https:\/\/blogs.sussex.ac.uk\/tel\/2024\/05\/23\/how-i-survived-distraction-overload-and-created-the-ultimate-online-learning-blueprint\/","url_meta":{"origin":10097,"position":5},"title":"How I Survived Distraction Overload and Created the Ultimate Online Learning Blueprint","date":"23rd May 2024","format":false,"excerpt":"by Helen Todd, Learning Technologist, University of Sussex So I\u2019m trying to write a blog post about engagement while WFH but I keep getting distracted. 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