Humanities+ Series workshop focuses on the gamification of skill acquisition
By Dr. Carrie Jerrell | Mar 27, 2026
MURRAY, Ky. 鈥� Murray State鈥檚 Humanities+ Series continues on April 2 at 4 p.m. in Faculty Hall, room 208 with the pedagogy workshop, "Making it Stick(er): The Gamification of Skill Acquisition and Team Building" with Dr. Amy McCann from the Department of Music. The event is free and open to the public. Teachers at all levels can earn professional development credit through attendance.
Gamification, or gamified learning, is a way to create immersive, engaging and student-centered learning environments. In a gamified classroom, knowledge acquisition can become a collective or competitive adventure with the integration of game elements like point systems, leaderboards, badges or other elements. McCann鈥檚 workshop will center on lessons drawn from her work as an associate professor of music.
McCann is a former military musician and active freelance performer and teacher. She has played with the United States Air Force Heritage of America Band, La Crosse Symphony Orchestra, Wheeling Symphony, Johnstown Symphony and the West Virginia Symphony. She has also studied reed making techniques with both Dr. John Weigand at West Virginia University and Keith Hill, an instrument builder who has done extensive studies on the physical vibrating properties of wood and cane. McCann is a Sponsored Artist and Reed Making Specialist with Precision Reed Products, the maker of the Reedual single reed machine.
Area teachers interested in attending and receiving professional development credit can contact College of Humanities and Fine Arts Educational Placements Coordinator Kristen Swisher at kswisher@murraystate.edu or 270-809-4527.
This event is part of the Humanities+ Series, sponsored by Murray State鈥檚 College of Humanities and Fine Arts. The series explores how individuals flourish in today鈥檚 challenging world and fosters creative, intellectual and educational opportunities. It showcases the work and achievements of Murray State faculty, students, and alumni, as well as invited professionals in the arts, humanities, social and behavioral sciences. The series encompasses public lectures, teaching workshops, and cultural events focused on cultivating the skills individuals need to live and learn well. All events are free and open to the public. More information can be found at .