Why I'm Creating Gamified Courses with Dunder.Dev

The online education scene has a serious problem: only about 3% of people actually finish the courses they purchase or start. This dismal completion rate underscores a critical issue—traditional video courses are failing to engage and retain the vast majority of all learners. That's why people celebrate on social media when they finally complete an Udemy course. We need a new approach that not only educates but also captivates and motivates students to see their learning journey through to the end.

My Journey to Dunder.Dev

About a year and a half ago, I began working on a Python curriculum with a colleague. The idea was to teach Python from first principles. As we developed the course, it evolved significantly, incorporating interactive, gamified, and practical elements. This major overhaul transformed our perspective on teaching.

Fast forward a year and a half, and we decided to first launch a course specifically aimed at teaching AI engineering skills to software developers; this is a field we have been working in and are so excited about right now. Don't worry! Our foundational Python from first principles course is still in the pipeline and will be released later.

So, what is Dunder.Dev?

The name "Dunder.Dev" originated from our team name, Developer Underground. While searching for a domain last year, everything I wanted was taken. Then, Namecheap suggested dunder.dev, and it sounded cool. My co-instructor liked the idea too. Interestingly, someone pointed out that "Dunder" is also a term from a certain paper company in a TV show 😂️. I’ve never watched the show, so it’s purely a coincidence, but we decided to use this similarity for some humor in the course.

Dunder.Dev is a team of passionate educators dedicated to transforming online learning. We create interactive, engaging, and practical courses that students enjoy and can apply in real-world situations. Our mission is to revolutionize education through gamification and innovative teaching methods.

I Want A New Kind of Learning Experience

I am passionate about creating courses that people will not just finish, but truly learn from and enjoy. My goal is to develop practical, scenario-based, gamified courses that offer more than just a series of videos. This is about providing a rich learning experience that students can apply in their real-world careers.

Since 2017, I have been delving into the science and art of gamification. I have gathered a wealth of ideas on how to use game mechanics to inspire and drive students. My team of experienced educators and I are committed to integrating these principles into our courses, making learning not just effective but also enjoyable.

Choose Your Own Journey

One of the unique features of our courses is the ability for students to choose their own journey. We offer two distinct themes to cater to different learning preferences:

Light Theme: This is the default path, designed to be a low-stress, enjoyable learning experience. Here, you have a friendly boss and are granted your options in a supportive environment.

Dark Theme: This path introduces more challenges and higher stakes. Fail a quiz, and you might get a pink slip saying you’ve been laid off. Expect periodic visits from a micromanager and the chaos of unpredictable elements, akin to Netflix’s Chaos Monkey.

Storytelling and Immersion

Our courses are more than just a series of lessons; they are immersive storytelling experiences. You become a character with a goal to achieve, the hero of your own journey. This approach mimics the real world, providing practical experience in a simulated environment. It’s as close to real-world application as you can get in an online course.

The First Course: AI APIs for Software Developers

Our inaugural course focuses on AI APIs for software developers. This course is designed not just to teach the concepts but to provide hands-on experience in a real-world context. You will work on projects that mirror actual industry scenarios, gaining skills that are immediately applicable in your career.

I hope you join us! If you sign up during the pre-sale, you get 50% off as a way of thanking you for supporting our endeavor and trusting us with your education. Just use code presale42 at checkout to apply the discount.

Are you passionate about making education better? Or are you just looking for courses that you actual enjoy taking and learn something from?

Yes?! Come and join us over here on Discord, and here on X.com to continue the conversation.

Much more is coming, and I am excited to share this journey with you. Join us in transforming the way we learn! 🤓️ ❤️️