Star Words Re-Generated: Gamification and GenAI for Effective Training

Abstract

Star Words was a gamification project developed in 2015 with the goal of facilitating the acquisition of skills related to the Microsoft Office suite on Moodle. The utilization of game mechanics and rules was enhanced by situating the entire course within the Star WarsTM universe, a widely popular saga at the time due to the release of its seventh cinematic episode. The results obtained from the experiment demonstrated the effectiveness of this approach. However, the significant amount of time invested in adapting the storyline and materials led to the decision not to replicate the experience with different themes. The article illustrates how the use of generative artificial intelligence (genAI) can help overcome this issue by assisting educators in creating high-quality educational and narrative content in a shorter timeframe. This enables educators to select the most up-to-date and captivating theme for their students every year.