Gamification – The New Wave of Learning

It should not come as a surprise that playing games in the class drive the best student engagement, as students regardless of age love playing games. Then what can be better than driving the best results and learning outcomes through gamifying the learning concept?

Rapidly changing mode of education

When the dynamics of learning are changing more often in the education system, from physical to virtual mode and the latest hybrid learning; the rapid adaptation to these changes by teachers throughout the world is commendable. It is evident that Ed-tech has been pivotal in making the paradigm shift, thus aiding the education system to opt for desirable options and continue with uninterrupted learning despite the pandemic and lockdowns.

Promoting students’ interest matters!

The classroom interactions, student feedback, problem solving, fun-learning environment and many more elements needed to be in place to increase learner engagement and sustain student motivation during these unprecedented times. Though Ed-tech has been there for a decade, it has been a gamechanger in the past two years. While switching to virtual mode wasn’t much of a challenge for technology enabled schools, keeping the learners’ enthusiasm up, through the screens, was certainly a significant aspect in making a virtual school successful in a true sense.

What is Gamification and Game-based learning?

Gamification and Game-based learning are the two approaches that can make learning a more enjoyable and productive experience. Gamification is an integration of game elements like point systems, leaderboards, rewards into classroom learning allowing consistent check-ins that can trigger and maintain high motivation among learners. Whereas Game-based learning typically involves an activity designed as a game with gaming principles thus enabling the learner to grasp the concept and enhance their learning experience. With timers in place, it becomes all the more exciting and gripping, keeping the active participation high.

Beneficial for both teachers and students

Various Game-based platforms available online provide flexibility in the method of learning–synchronous as well as asynchronous. Teachers have been continuously adapting and upgrading themselves with Ed-tech strategies that enable them to develop effective lesson plans accordingly and implement these Game-based tools to cater to their curriculum and grade level requirement. Many applications and tools freely available online can empower the teaching process and gauge the learner’s knowledge and understanding, also making the learning more personalized and differentiated. Game-based tools enable teachers to add a variety of checkpoints at various stages of the teaching-learning process in a live class. This ensures that enthusiasm amongst learners is sustained and remains high, breaking the monotony of regular approaches of assessments such as MCQs and Q and A’s. For instance, students are highly enthusiastic and involved when they are allowed to digitally key in their responses through various methods like sorting, matching or even by spotting a correct answer on an image while simultaneously viewing their results on the leader board presented on the teacher’s screen. An added advantage of using gaming platforms is self-paced learning of the student that can be initiated by the teacher using flashcards or games. Thus, boosting student interest and involvement as they independently learn the concept while gaining points. Besides, a scoring mode always inculcates a healthy competitive spirit among them and motivates them to stay focused. The benefits of Gamification and Game-based learning goes way beyond active learning. The much needed social connection among the peers is maintained thoroughly throughout the class and instant feedback from the teachers adds to the performance improvement of the learners.

To conclude

What can be more rewarding for a teacher than to see students keenly looking forward to learn something new with enthusiasm and interest. Gamification techniques empower the classrooms for a fun-learning experience. With continued exploration and integration of these Ed-Tech strategies, educators will continue to maximise learning outcomes through an exciting and engaging class.

By Nazia Tarannum Mohammed,

Head of Educational Technology, Oakridge International School, Gachibowli.