What is Gamification?
Gamification is the integration of games into an education setting. It has been an adaptation to education and learning for a long time and is becoming more intricate and versatile. Gamification has been gaining traction and changing the idea of learning. It is a fun way to engage students through elements such as competition, rewards and challenges while learning. By harnessing the principles that add to games making them enjoyable and intriguing, educators can make learning more exciting and motivating for students.
What are the Benefits of Gamification?
- Increased engagement – gamification captures students attention by making learning engaging and interacting.
- Personalized learning – gamification can be adapted to each students learning styles and paces, making it accessible and achievable for all students
- Real-World situations – gamification can stimulate real world scenarios, which allows students to explore and apply knowledge to situations that can occur on a day to day basis.
Gamification Platforms
- PBS Kids – PBS Kids offers games ranging from different shows, to different holiday games. “PBS KIDS is committed to making a positive impact on the lives of children through curriculum-based entertainment. With a 360-degree approach towards learning and reaching children, PBS KIDS leverages the full spectrum of media and technology to build knowledge, critical thinking, imagination and curiosity. By involving parents, teachers, caregivers and communities as learning partners, PBS KIDS helps to empower children for success in school and in life.”
- Google’s: Be Internet Awesome – The goal of this platform is to help “empower kids to be safe, confident explorers of the online world.” It teaches kids share with care, being internet alert, securing your secrets, being internet kind and being able to communicate when you feel unsure about a situation.
https://beinternetawesome.withgoogle.com/en_us
- Scratch – Scratch allows you to “program your own interactive stories, games and animations.” With options from learning to code musical instruments, space animations, ghostbusters, chatbot, pain programs and boat races, students explore different ways to use this platform and build coding abilities.
https://projects.raspberrypi.org/en/codeclub/scratch-module-1
Gamification!
Gamification holds immense opportunity for transforming elementary education into a dynamic and enriching experience. By engaging the power of games, educators can captivate students’ imaginations, encourage a love for learning, and equip them with the knowledge and skills they need to thrive in an ever changing world. Gamification unlocks the endless possibilities it offers for shaping the future of education.
Photo: anyaberkut