The tree branches in different directions which forces the player to make choices as they specialize their character. The basic concept of a skill tree is that the character starts in the lowest level and slowly moves up the tree. When the player accomplishes certain tasks they earn “Perk Points” that can be used on a skill tree to enhance their character with new powers and skills. Skyrim is an action RPG (it’s more complex actually but let’s keep this simple). Skyrim Skill Tree Constellation Inspiration For a potential solutions I am looking to the heavens for inspiration… specifically Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim. Still, the problem of students grinding out lower level tasks to just bang out XP remains. I implemented the concepts but I know believe that a blended XP/SBG system would be better than either system individually (for more check out pt 1 and pt 2 of this series). As I began studying Standards Based Grading the concept seemed to pair well with game inspired designs.

In the classroom though this grinding amounted to a distortion of the students/player’s true abilities. In any gamelike system there will be some players who want to take advantage of the rules to win the game. This is a term from Role Play Games where a player will continuously accomplish easy low level tasks in order to level up their character before taking more difficult challenges. The downside of this advantage is Grinding. By creating side quests that allow students to demonstrate their knowledge in a different but still meaningful way teachers can construct a truly differentiated classroom. This gives students an opportunity to overcome a poor test score (or out right test anxiety) by making up the XP in another area. The benefit of XP Grading is that all XP are equal. For years I had championed XP Grading but was trying to overcome the problem with GRINDING. At the end of last year I decided to experiment with a new Grading system.

Stars classroom