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For a variety of reasons, gamification is becoming more popular in educational settings. In other words, it ‘makes the difficult stuff more fun,’ assisting students in becoming more motivated and engaged with the subject matter.
Gamification:
It, broadly defined, is the process of defining the elements that makeup games, making them fun for players, and then using those same elements to influence behavior in non-game contexts. Gamification, in other words, is the addition of game elements to a traditionally non-game situation. The goal is to increase learners’ enjoyment and engagement by capturing their attention and motivating them to continue learning.
There are two types of gamification:
- Structural gamification, which involves no changes to the subject matter, and
- Altered content gamification, which involves the addition of subject matter.
Serious games, or games in which the learning experience is centered around serious stories, can be used in education.
Gamification of Learning:
Gamification of learning differs from game-based learning and the use of educational games to learn a concept because it does not involve students designing and creating their own games or playing commercially produced video games. Students may use Game-star Mechanic or Game-Maker to create their own video game or explore and create 3D worlds in Minecraft as part of a game-based learning initiative. The learning agenda is integrated into the game in these examples.
Some authors draw a distinction between gamification and game-based learning. They claim that gamification only occurs when learning takes place in a non-game setting, such as a classroom.
Gamification of learning is defined as the arrangement of a series of game elements into a “game layer,” or a system that works in tandem with learning in traditional classrooms. Games designed to induce learning are also another example of gamified content.
Learning aids in the form of game elements:
The following are some game elements that can be used to motivate learners and facilitate learning:
- Progress mechanics like Points, badges, and leaderboards
- Characters and narrative
- Control of the player
- Immediate response
- Possibilities for problem-solving in groups
- Learning that is progressively more difficult is scaffolded.
- Possibilities for mastery and advancement
- Relationship with others
When some of these elements are used in a classroom, the environment can be described as “gamified.” There is no set number of elements that must be present for gamification to be considered official, but one guiding principle is that gamification considers the complex system of reasons that a person chooses to act, rather than just one factor.
The students in the classroom are exposed to and aware of a system of game elements that operates in the classroom. There is no hidden agenda in which teachers try to persuade or trick students to do something. Students continue to make autonomous decisions about whether or not to participate in learning activities. The gamified system’s progress mechanics can be thought of as a lighthouse that guides learners as they advance, while the other game mechanics and elements of game design are set up as an immersive system to support and maximize students’ learning.
Benefits:
Many school-aged children play video games, which shapes their identity as people and learners, according to gamification initiatives in learning contexts.
The following are some of the potential advantages of successful gamification initiatives in the classroom:
- enabling students to take charge of their own education.
- Taking on alternate selves provides opportunities for identity work.
- freedom from repercussions if you fail and try again.
- opportunities to increase classroom fun and joy
- putting learning on display
- a maintainable number of subtasks and tasks
- instilling in students the desire to discover their own intrinsic motivations for learning
Gamification in teaching:
Learners learn best when they are also having fun, according to the gamification theory in education. Not only that, but they learn best when they have goals, targets, and accomplishments to strive for, all while maintaining a sense of fun for the learner.
Because video games have addictive features that entice children (and adults) and keep them hooked, it’s only natural that when these game-based elements are applied to learning materials, we see similar engagement results.
How to use it?
Teachers can do something similar by collecting data, tracking progress, and tailoring rules, rewards, and quests to further motivate students while students are leveling up collecting points, and competing with one another. If you don’t want to do it manually, look into data tools in your school’s LMS or learning apps you already have.
Technology has influenced many aspects of our daily lives, including how we live, shop, work, play, eat, meet people, and socialize. Policymakers are beginning to seriously consider the potential benefits of using technology to reduce teacher workload. We’ve also known for a long time that taking something that many children enjoy – games – and incorporating some of the features to aid learning has significant benefits.
Teachers can use the following examples to implement gamification:
- Awarding points for achieving academic goals.
- Awarding points for achieving procedural and non-academic goals.
- The use of motivational mechanics in the form of playful barriers.
- Levels, checkpoints, and other progression methods.
- Personalized performance comparison and reflection.
- Assisting students to assume specific learning perspectives.
- Instead of points or grades, give learning badges.
Also read: Reviewing the Tools that Make Online Education Tick
Frequently Asked Questions:
1. What is the importance of Gamification in e-Learning?
Answer: Gamification in eLearning creates a more informal learning environment for students, allowing them to practice real-life situations and challenges in a safe setting. This results in a more engaging learning experience and improved knowledge retention.
2. What is Gamification in Learning and Education?
Answer: Gamification of learning is an educational approach that uses video game design and game elements in learning environments to motivate students.
3. What is Classroom Gamification?
Answer: Gamification is the process of turning a classroom and regular activities into a game. It necessitates imagination, collaboration, and fun. There are a variety of ways to incorporate games and gameplay into the classroom to promote learning and deepen student understanding. Teachers can use gamification elements to enhance learning and student engagement, whether they want to incorporate some aspects of gaming into their classroom or use a game platform across the curriculum.
