Enhancing Education Through Play: Champlain College’s Competency Cards

At Champlain College, education goes beyond traditional lectures and textbooks. Through the Embedding the College Competencies grant, funded by the Davis Educational Foundation, Champlain College is fostering a dynamic learning experience that equips students with 12 essential skills—including Collaboration, Creativity, and Communication. To make these competencies more accessible and engaging, a team of students has developed an innovative deck of competency-based cards. Manufactured by Shuffled Ink, this unique project is bringing education to life in a fun and interactive way.

The Story Behind the Deck

The idea of using cards as an educational tool originated from Game Design faculty member Jonathan Ferguson, who first applied card-based activities for faculty development. Building on this concept, Graphic Design majors Anne Judson and Ben Treybal designed a new version of the deck, blending engaging visuals and branding with key learning principles. This marks the first card project for both Anne, Ben, and the rest of the team.

The Creative Process

The card deck’s design stems from a broader branding initiative led by Champlain’s student graphic designers. With a solid brand identity in place, the team transitioned from standard playing cards to a larger, tarot-sized format to accommodate more information. Using Adobe Illustrator, the students incorporated distinct colors and shapes that correspond to the competencies. 

The Impact of the Competency Cards

Games are inherently social, and this deck leverages that quality to create cooperative learning environments. The hands-on nature of the cards allows faculty and students to engage in a “state of play,” fostering collaboration and a shared sense of understanding. Faculty members have expressed appreciation for the cards, noting how they encourage experimentation and discussion in an enjoyable, non-traditional format.

Overcoming Challenges

One of the main challenges during the design process was determining the right amount of information to include. While some faculty members desired more details, the team had to balance content with the physical constraints of the cards as well as accessibility guidelines. The final product successfully provides key insights while maintaining readability and usability.

Looking Ahead: The Evolution of Competency Cards

Although these competency cards are specific to Champlain College, the team welcomes collaboration with other educational institutions interested in adopting a similar approach. To learn more about Champlain’s competencies and the student designers’ branding guidelines, visit competencies.champlain.edu.

The success of this deck has paved the way for an exciting new project: “Compemon” cards. Inspired by Pokémon, these student-facing cards illustrate how each competency develops over time, helping students visualize their personal and academic growth. Set for final production in summer 2025, this initiative aligns with Champlain’s goal of increasing competency awareness and application across campus.

By blending education with interactive play, Champlain College is shaping a future where students not only acquire essential skills but also enjoy the process of learning. Stay tuned for more innovative projects that redefine the educational experience!

Choosing Shuffled Ink: Quality and Reliability

Partnering with Shuffled Ink was a strategic choice for Champlain College. As a U.S.-based manufacturer, Shuffled Ink provided responsive service and delivered high-quality cards on a tight timeline. The professional look and feel of the cards exceeded expectations, and Champlain College is excited to continue this partnership for future projects.

Get started on your own custom deck here.