Let's Make It A Game!

Remember when you were a kid playing games and competing with other children for various titles, such as fastest on the playground or smartest in the class?  Not much has changed today, students enjoy competition and the chance to test their skills. Games are great way to promote student involvement in the classroom because they get the students' attention and while also keeping them engaged.

Gamification??

Gamification is the application of game elements in non-gaming situations in order to motivate and/or influence behavior. Gamification can spur student concentration and interest which leads to more effective learning. Administrators of these games provide participants with feedback or rewards. These rewards can include material things such as points or prizes, or they can be more intangible like senses of accomplishment, satisfaction, and recognition. Because today's generation is intrigued by more than just board games, we can utilize technology to connect our content to things like video games, computer games, cell phone games, and hand-held games. Although technology is not required for gamification it makes the management of these activities simpler while also allowing the teacher to use gamification outside of the classroom. 

Who is doing it?

Everyone! Gamification is not only being used by teachers, professors and businesses find these activities beneficial in motivating participants. For example, Weight Watchers uses points as a way to challenge their members. Just like Weight Watchers does for its member, games allow students to set and monitor individual goals. It is essential that teachers stress the importance of setting and accomplishing their goals. Games can also be in teams which helps students better understand how to work with others and their responsibility as a team member.

Why is it significant?

Researchers have found that adding game elements to the classroom helps students to sharpen their abilities. Games also make the content seem more like a challenge whereby they are held immediately accountable to the information as opposed to chore work where they are not applying the content. Gamification gives students the opportunity to collaborate as a team, shy students the opportunity to participate, and promotes interest in the content that may not have otherwise come up.

Downsides?

Although gamification has many proven benefits, some believe that gamification trivializes learning content. They believe that by introducing games the students won't feel as accountable to the information as they should be. Another problem with gamification is that some students may not be as excited by competition, especially those that do not feel comfortable with the content. 

Implications for teaching and learning?

Despite the concerns that some may have for gamification, it does create interactive experiences that engage student imagination and increase motivation. Gamification promotes student recognition and allows students to compete and socialize creating a sense of community. 


It is important that teachers and parents get involved in implementing different strategies to help their students do well in school. Parents should understand that their students are not simply playing games, they are relating the content to their lives so they can better retain the information. As teachers we should take advantage of activities that the students are already interested in and use them to relate the content and gamification does just that. Through gamification the students will understand that games are a way that they can compete with themselves to accomplish their individual and team goals.

Learn more about gamification at EDUCAUSE