Level Up Your Learning: The Benefits of Gamification in Education

In today's world of education, the tools teachers have to enhance classroom activities are almost limitless. To motivate students, we no longer are tied to textbooks, worksheets, and desks in rows. Research shows that multiple activities in one hour-long period, multiple methods of absorbing information (visual, audio, modeling, teaching others, etc.), and intentional implementation of technology combine to increase a student’s engagement with academic material. That's where gamification comes in. By incorporating game elements into the learning process, educators can create a more immersive and engaging experience that helps students stay focused, motivated, and eager to learn. From video games to puzzles and interactive technology challenges, gamification has been shown to improve retention, increase motivation, and enhance critical thinking skills.

The Benefits of Gamification in Education

Gamification is the process of adding game elements to non-game contexts, such as education. Its goal is to find a way to make learning more engaging, interactive, and fun. Incorporating gamification in education has numerous benefits, including:

#1 Improved Retention

Gamification in education has been shown to improve retention rates by up to 90%. By making learning more engaging and interactive, students are more likely to remember what they've learned. This is because gamification taps into the brain's reward system, releasing dopamine, which enhances memory retention. When students are motivated to learn through game elements, they are more likely to remember the information they've learned. One aspect of game theory is the idea of a “boss battle”-- attempting so hard that you are forced to vanquish it with more than one attempt. If we can harness a student’s desire to never stop battling the unknowns of academic content, then I would consider that successful gamification.

#2 Increased Motivation

Gamification has also been shown to increase student motivation. By incorporating game elements, such as points, badges, and leaderboards, into the learning process, students are motivated to work harder and achieve more. These game elements provide a sense of accomplishment and recognition, which motivates students to continue learning. You can choose to gamify with extrensic or intrinsic motivation. The more a student enjoys learning, the more they will choose to learn.

#3 Enhanced Critical Thinking Skills

Gamification can also enhance critical thinking skills. By providing students with challenges and puzzles to solve, gamification encourages students to think critically and creatively. These skills are essential for success in today's complex and ever-changing world. Gamification can be used for social-emotional skills and for content in your classroom. I have taught AP level classes with 100% pass rate while gamifying. If done correctly, gamification in the classroom raises understanding.

Gamification Examples in Education: Ways to Gamify!

Playing games in class. Adding in no-prep online games to your class increases student engagement.
Implementing game theory to your classroom activities. Leveling your students, side quests for your over-achievers, and identifying the strengths of each student as if they were a character are extremely helpful as a teacher.
Making students the players. The adage “be a guide on the side, not a sage on the stage” fits right in line with classroom gamification. When students are deciding their own fate in a gamified activity, they are invested in their own success.

Gamification Tools for Educators

There are numerous gamification tools available for educators. These tools allow educators to create quizzes, challenges, and other game elements to incorporate into the learning process. Some popular no-prep games to dip your toe into gamification are:

Kahoot
Gimkit
Blooket
Quizlet & Quizlet Live
Baamboozle

It’s important to note that there are ways to make these more than “time-fillers” or “rewards” for students. Intentionally implementing games in a meaningful way will change the way you see “games” in your classroom. For example, I’ve observed a French teacher play the spelling (drag-and-drop) version of Kahoot to reinforce word order in French sentences. Another example is when teaching Latin, I use various modes of Blooket that are more helpful for different aspects of language learning. If we are practicing vocabulary, we will use a high-frequency game such as Gold Rush. If we are practicing translating sentences before a test, we will use Battle Royale. If I see a student who is looking for ways to study Latin on their own time, then I will make a few sets of the asynchronous modes, such as Crazy Kingdom.

An app I created for my gamified classroom: avatars, rewards, and side quests! Click here to book a gamification session with me!

To incorporate game theory elements into your classroom, here are some techniques more gamified than adding in no-prep games.

Avatars and experience points: Students create their own character, choose a character class based on their core values, and then earn experience points for various accomplishments (winning a game in class, completing a side quest, etc.)
Side quests: I found that I was teaching a range of abilities. To me, it was the most important that every student understand the basics. Then, I found I had a third of my class who was eager to flex their Latin muscles more. To provide activities for those students, without adding work to my lower-achieving students, I create side quests so the students can feel challenged in an optional way. It has worked for my seven years of gamification so far!
Boss battles: A class works together to earn “hit points” against a boss. For Latin, we battle Mars, the god of War, and each grammar activity the students complete will bring down Mars’ health.

Best Practices for Implementing Gamification in Education

Implementing gamification in education requires careful planning and execution. Here are some best practices for educators looking to incorporate gamification into their curriculum:

Start Small

When implementing gamification, it's important to start small. Begin by incorporating simple game elements, such as points or badges, into the learning process. As students become more familiar with these game elements, you can gradually incorporate more complex elements, such as leaderboards and challenges.

Align Game Elements with Learning Objectives

When incorporating game elements into the learning process, it's important to ensure they align with the learning objectives. Game elements should enhance the learning process, not detract from it. Incorporating game elements that don't align with the learning objectives can lead to confusion and a lack of engagement.

Provide Feedback and Recognition

Providing feedback and recognition is essential for motivating students. Gamification in education adds easy ways for teachers to give students feedback. First of all, because gamification makes the students the players and the teachers the observers! When students complete a challenge or earn a badge, be sure to provide feedback and recognition for their achievements. This recognition provides students with a sense of accomplishment and motivation to continue learning.

Gamification in Education and Personalized Learning

Gamification can also be used in personalized learning. Personalized learning is an approach to education that tailors the learning experience to the individual needs and interests of each student. By incorporating gamification into personalized learning, educators can create a more engaging and tailored learning experience for each student.

Are you interested in learning more about gamification in education and looking for someone to write a few gamified lessons for your classes? Click here to book a 1 on 1 session with me!

Statistics of Gamified Learning

Gamification in education has been proven to be highly effective in improving student engagement and learning outcomes. According to a study conducted by the University of Colorado, students who participated in gamified learning showed a 14% increase in skill-based knowledge and a 9% increase in retention of information compared to traditional learning methods. Additionally, a survey conducted by the eLearning Industry found that 83% of students felt more motivated to learn when gamification was incorporated into their education. Furthermore, gamified learning has been shown to increase student collaboration and teamwork, with 72% of students reporting that they enjoyed working together with their peers on gamified learning activities. These statistics highlight the power of gamification in education and its ability to transform the learning experience for students.

Jul 6 Gamification in Education