Enter gamification, a learning technique that uses activities and rewards to promote student engagement. When used to promote a love of learning, this strategy can help students become active and motivated learners. But when coupled with non-educational rewards like pizza parties or treats, gamification can make students lose sight of the purpose of school, which isto help them learn.
What do educators mean by game-based learning, and how can you use it to its fullest potential? Read on to learn about gamification as a learning strategy and how to create game-based activities that avoid the common mistakes that can reduce effectivness.
In the realm of education, a new player has emerged to revolutionise the way students learn and engage with academic content—gamification. This innovative approach harnesses the elements of game design and mechanics to transform traditional learning experiences into dynamic, interactive, and enjoyable journeys that captivate and motivate learners of all ages.
Transforming Learning into Play
At its essence, gamification integrates gaming elements—such as challenges, rewards, points and levels—into educational contexts. By infusing elements of play into learning activities, educators harness the intrinsic motivation and enthusiasm that games inherently evoke, transforming mundane tasks into captivating adventures.
Engaging through Interactive Experiences
Gamification fosters an environment where students actively engage with educational content through interactive experiences. Learning becomes immersive as students navigate through quests, solve puzzles, and embark on missions, all designed to reinforce knowledge acquisition and skill development in an engaging and entertaining manner.
Motivating Students through Rewards and Progression
The gamified approach leverages rewards, badges, and progress markers to incentivize learning and achievement. Students are motivated by a sense of accomplishment as they unlock achievements, earn points, and progress through levels, providing a sense of mastery and fuelling their desire to excel.
Fostering Collaboration and Healthy Competition
Gamification encourages collaboration and healthy competition among students. Group challenges, leaderboard rankings, and team-based quests promote peer-to-peer interaction, cooperation, and friendly rivalry. This collaborative environment nurtures teamwork and communication skills.
Gamification is a hot-button topic in the educational field, with plenty of advocates and critics. But what is gamification itself, and why has it become so popular?
Gamification is defined here as the use of activities and external rewards to encourage motivation in non-game contexts. It’s designed to increase a person’s experience and engagement with a course, goal or system.
How gamification works:
Gamification traces its origins to educational psychology regarding what motivates people to learn. Sometimes, finding the resolve and perseverance to complete a difficult task can be tough. Gamification motivates people by making the process more enjoyable. As a person engages more with a course or project, their positive feelings towards the experience increase and they’re more likely to continue engaging in the subject or theme on their own.
Gamification as a practice has seen significant growth over the past decade in areas like health care and the workplace. And with an increased acceptance of technology in class, gamified learning has also become a popular teaching strategy. But like any strategy, gamification has its pros and cons when used in schools.
Gamified Educational Resources You Might Be of Interested:
Following the rise of gamification in education, many innovative resources have emerged to make learning a fun, engaging, and rewarding experience. Educational programs that incorporate gaming principles offer children exciting ways to dive into subjects like the environment, math, and STEAM, turning learning into an interactive adventure. Through dynamic videos, interactive games, and personalized platforms, these resources help spark students’ intrinsic motivation, offering more than just rewards—they create immersive learning journeys.
Get a special discount by quoting code AMALL2024 during CHECKOUT.
Earth Cubs
Earth Cubs offers free, award-winning, positive, and engaging educational content for young children, focusing on the environment, sustainability, and climate change. Aiming to inspire action without “doom and gloom,” Earth Cubs aligns with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals and covers diverse topics, from climate change and renewable energy to equality and green jobs.
Their content includes a variety of resources: fun and informative videos, interactive bookazines, a lively radio show, classroom-ready learning materials, and an app for guilt-free gaming. These free resources, supported by like-minded organizations, provide children and educators with entertaining and accessible ways to learn about saving the planet.
Mangahigh
Mangahigh offers a comprehensive subscription service for schools or grade levels, providing year-long or multi-year access to a game-based platform for math education. Students receive login credentials to begin their journey of learning and practicing math through interactive games. Teachers benefit from a dashboard that allows them to track progress, access to training on the platform, and the ability to download certificates of appreciation for students.
Smartick
Smartick is a personalized math learning platform that adapts to the individual skills and needs of each student. With daily 15-minute lessons, Smartick covers a range of math topics, from basic arithmetic to complex word problems, all presented through engaging games and activities. The platform boasts a success rate where 83% of users improve their grades, making it an effective tool for building a strong foundation in math.
NovaLearn
NovaLearn stands out as an EduTech company dedicated to celebrating each child’s individuality. It offers a safe, interactive e-learning platform filled with a diverse library of games and edutainment videos. NovaLearn provides courses in various subjects, including STEAM, Art, Engineering, English, Future Ready, Mandarin, Math, Science, and Technology, allowing children to learn anything, anywhere, anytime.
With game-based learning resources, educators and parents have new tools to nurture children’s love of learning. From exploring global sustainability to mastering math through interactive games, these programs make learning an enjoyable, personalized experience that supports skill-building and personal growth. Embracing these resources can help ensure that learning is not only impactful but also something that children genuinely look forward to each day.
