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Modern students need modern pedagogy methodologies. Gamified learning is one such tactic used by teachers to engage students in the learning process. It motivates students to learn through video games or other entertainment ingredients in a pedagogical environment. It aims at maximizing enjoyment along with effective learning. In simple words, Gamified learning involves the utilization of gaming elements in a non-game situation. It generates the curiosity of students in the concept.
It allows students to harness the power of games and recreational activities to tackle real-life problems. Games provide challenges for students to showcase their abilities. Each failure challenges them which is invigorating for students.
Benefits of Gamified Learning
Gamification in learning motivates students to learn something. Games are so fascinating and they have become a worthy part of learning as students start developing their decision-making skills.
They learn to develop their own strategies thus, improving their analytical skills. Seeking the best solution out of the strategies will brush up their evaluating skills.
Gamification of learning makes the learning experience very engaging and interesting. It retains the attention of students and results in productive learning.
Gamification fosters the relationship between teachers and students.
Many educational games nourish soft skills in students which is a crucial component of employment-ready skills.
Students become addicted to games. So, if educational games are fascinating then students will become addicted to learning also.
Here, competition becomes the motivation for students as modern students are resolute to be triumphant over challenges.
Principles of Gamified Learning
Goal Orientation
The structure of games should be envisioned in a way that in the end, the goal set should be achieved. In other words, your goal of what students should be learning in this game should be designated in advance and the whole game should be structured keeping in mind your objective. If your goals are clear, then it will help to sustain the player’s motivation and engagement.
Reinforcement
The games should be constructed in a way that if the player is successful, there should be some kind of reward or coins as a sense of appraisal and compliments which will boost the enthusiasm of the learner. That reward can be verbal praise or tangible/intangible awards.
Achievement
When learners are recognized for their achievements in games, they feel a sense of gratification among themselves. Achievement can be showed through tangible or intangible badges. A scoreboard showing the ranks of students can also make them feel proud of what they have learned.
Competition
General games are structured to use intrinsic rewards to attract children but in an educational game, competition plays a major role in sustaining one’s engagement and interest. Competition not only instigates motivation in students but it also makes students play fairly in the game.
Fun Orientation
Games are a source of recreation activities that naturally entice students. In educational games, fun and cognitive learning should go hand in hand. Fun and enjoyment is a compulsory aspect of gamified learning. So, an educational game is effective if and only if it has an entertainment component throughout the game.
