Working Examples: Guidelines and Submission Instructions for GLS
2015
What are Working Examples?
A Working Example is an avenue for shared learning in our field, focused on
communicating the processes, challenges and iterations behind an idea or project. You
start by proposing a method, model, or tool (aka the beginning ideas behind your
project), then build on those ideas by demonstrating how they have evolved over time.
Examples are different from traditional paper proposals and submissions in a number of
ways:
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Examples don’t have to be finished projects – you can be at any stage in the
project process.
Examples demonstrate how you made (or are making) your project, not the
end product itself.
Rather than presenting a final closed argument or solved problem, an Example
functions as an "invitation" into conversation with other scholars, educators,
designers, policy makers, and funders. Sharing your work in this way will open up
your access to a broad community of innovators across the field and invite them
into your process to provide feedback and expertise.
Examples are interactive – we encourage you to use a variety of media to
communicate your process (photos, videos, storyboards, concept drawings, etc.).
What kinds of Examples should be submitted?
We’re looking for Examples that explore ways we can address issues related to games and
learning. Most importantly, we want Examples that describe 1) the problem you’re trying to solve
and what you’re doing or creating to solve it, 2) how you’re getting the work done, 3) challenges
and lessons learned, 4) how your ideas are evolving, and 5) what feedback or support you need
from the community.
To submit to the Working Examples track at GLS, create an Example at
WorkingExamples.org. Keep reading to learn about the submission criteria and process.
What’s WorkingExamples.org?
WorkingExamples.org is a community of researchers, designers and educators working at the
intersection of education and technology. This community of practice believes we can maximize
the field’s potential by collaborating, changing how we do work and inviting experts from
different perspectives into the process. WEx bolsters innovation and the potential impact of our
work by:
 Sharing our work – not just ‘what’ we’re doing, but ‘how’ and ‘why’
 Contributing our individual expertise to each other’s work
 Building a broader community and conversation in this field
Submission process
Here’s how to submit a Working Example to GLS 11:
1. Go to www.workingexamples.org. Log in or, if you’re a new user, create a user profile.
2. Create a new Example or update a current Example. (Please reference the Tutorials &
FAQ section for tips on building an Example: http://www.workingexamples.org/help.)
3. When you’re ready to submit your Example to GLS, follow these steps:
a. Make your Example ‘public’.
b. Add your Example to the GLS Group.
c. When logged in, view your example. Click the Export button in the blue banner to
access your options.
d. Choose “.DocX” and hit export.
e. (Optional) Open the file and edit your Example to adhere to the GLS formatting
guidelines.
f. Make sure your Example looks the way you want it to. Do images fit on the
page? Do all links work properly? Are there any spacing inconsistencies?
g. Save the Word document and submit it into the GLS review system at
https://precisionconference.com/~gls
4. Important: You may continue to update your Example as your project progresses.
However, only the exported document submitted into the GLS system will be reviewed.
Browse other Examples in the GLS group, introduce yourself to people in the WEx
community, and help others out by providing comments and asking questions.
Questions to answer in a Working Example
Examples use a series of questions broken out into three project phases to help you
share and reflect on your work. For your reference, all of the available questions are
listed below. You are required to complete at least 5 questions, two of which have been
designated with asterisks. Choose 3 or more questions that are appropriate for your
work and its progress (seed, sprout, or bloom).
SEED - Use Seed to share your project’s origins, its vision and audience.
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Tell us about your idea or project. What’s your vision? *
What problem are you trying to solve and why does it matter? *
Is there any important history or context we should know about?
What are your goals and how will you know if you’ve achieved them?
Who is your audience and what do you know about them?
What challenges might pop up?
How does this work relate to what others are doing in the field?
How can our community support you? (expertise, resources, etc.)
Tell us about the team you have assembled or hope to assemble.
SPROUT - During the project, use Sprout to reflect on your process and how your project is
evolving.
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Tell us about your process and how your idea is evolving throughout the project.
What interesting patterns or insights have you discovered?
What are some of your initial concepts or designs? We’d love to see them.
Have your initial concepts/designs changed? Why have they changed? Show us how
they’re being refined and iterated.
How will you make sure that this thing you're creating will be adopted by your audience?
How might your project scale to provide greater impact?
BLOOM - If your work is finished, use Bloom to share results, reflect back and plan for the
future.
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You did it, your project has bloomed! How did it turn out? Tell us about your final product
or result.
What conclusions can you make and why do they matter?
Tell us about some of your successes. What can the WEx community learn from them?
What were some of your big challenges and how did you handle them?
Reflecting back, what did you learn along the way? What would you do differently?
So what’s next? How are you making sure your work reaches people and is adopted?
Looking forward, what kind of impact do you think your work will have? How might it
continue to evolve?
* required questions
Criteria
The following criteria will be used for reviewing Example submissions.
Be self-reflective. Share the ‘how’ and ‘why’ of what you’re doing, what’s working and what
isn’t, any lessons learned, and plans moving forward.
Don’t shy away from failures and missteps. No process is clean and shiny. Share your
challenges and how you’ve addressed them.
Consider the larger context of your work. Highlight research and connections between your
work and the outside world – trends, similar work, your audience, externalities, etc.
Use a variety of media. No one wants to read a lot of dense text!
Questions about submitting a working Example to GLS? Email GLS Conference co-chair
Amanda Ochsner at chair@glsconference.org.