Gamification Made Simple: A Guide for Higher Education Professionals is designed to be a practical, approachable, and experience-driven resource for instructors who may be new to the concept of gamification or are already experimenting with game-based learning.
Written by educators from different disciplines—special education and speech-language pathology—the book includes the perspectives of game designers, game players, and game masters. What began as a basic role-playing activity in a graduate course has evolved into an instructional framework that transforms student engagement by enabling them to apply what they are learning in a safe, real-world setting. Glennda McKeithan and Ann Marshall provide readers with a step-by-step guide for planning, designing, and implementing simple, game-based learning experiences through role-playing games (RPGs).
Gamification Made Simple
Glennda McKeithan & Ann Marshall
Gamification Made Simple is a practical guide for higher education professionals seeking to boost engagement through game-based learning. With a focus on role-playing games, it offers step-by-step strategies, real-world examples, and many examples of games for online and in-person courses.
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Book Details
Imprint: Bloomsbury Academic
Publication Date: 19-03-2026
Format: Paperback | 6 x 9 | 248 pagesAbout the Authors
Glennda McKeithan, PhD, NBCT is an Associate Teaching Professor in the Department of Special Education at the University of Kansas. With over 20 years of experience in K–12 and higher education as a teacher, administrator, teacher mentor, and instructional coaching. She holds advanced certification in Curriculum Design and has additional expertise in autism, gamification and digital marketing. She has researched and presented on the advantages of game based learning at state and national conferences.
Ann Marshall, SLPD-CCC - Dr. Ann Marshall is a practicing speech-language pathologist, researcher, and educator with over 14 years of experience working with K–12 students in public schools. She earned her Doctorate in Speech-Language Pathology from the University of Kansas, where her research focuses on social skills curricula for autistic students. Ann is passionate about inclusive education and supporting neurodiverse learners through evidence-based communication strategies and interdisciplinary collaboration. Her work reflects a strong commitment to helping educators and students thrive in real-world school settings. In addition to her research, Dr. Marshall brings creativity and fun to higher education through gamified and immersive learning. She has helped facilitate role-playing modules in a graduate course serving as “game master,” guiding students through interactive, story-based instruction.
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