Gamification Is More Than Fun and Games in the Classroom

According to a June 2020 article published on the Waterford Organization website, gamification is one of numerous trends in childhood education currently being adopted. The theory is that by teaching through a system of games and rewards, educators are able to tap into a child’s inner desire to learn on their own. After a while, learning becomes the reward and children become active learners.

When presented in a structured way, lessons taught through gamification can provide many advantages for children. In a very general sense, gamification involves using elements of play in non-game contexts. In education, however, this definition extends to the theory that children learn best when they are enjoying themselves. Lessons that integrate gamification activities include scoring points, teamwork, peer competition, and score tables to get students engaged in the learning process.

Examples of the way these elements are integrated into the lesson might include scaffolding, where challenges increase as skill is mastered, mastery (or leveling up as a skill is mastered), player control, narrative, social connection, and progress indicators through badges, points, or leader boards.

Teachers can integrate gamification into class lessons in many ways. For example, teachers can award points to students for meeting academic objectives. Teachers can also award points to students who achieve non-academic procedural activities, for example, putting on coats and hats and lining up as a part of classroom procedures. Gamification can also be used to create competition within the classroom or to award students with learning badges instead of assigning grades.

Regardless of the way that it’s employed, gamification holds a number of benefits for students. First and foremost, gamification aids in cognitive development, especially if “brain games” are a part of the activity. Brain games are called such because they are designed to enhance cognitive development and involve the student in answering questions and solving problems. Ultimately, the student’s cognitive abilities are enhanced after engaging in these activities.

Gamification is a way to make lessons accessible to all students. Whether teaching students along the achievement spectrum (gifted to slow learners), gamification makes concepts easy to digest.

This method of imparting information also increases student engagement. According to a study reported in Smithsonian Science Education Center, gamification not only increases engagement, but it also increases productivity. As part of the study, researchers observed as teachers awarded points based on daily activities. Afterward, students were watched for their levels of engagement, with many becoming more deeply interested in learning.

The classroom tool can also be used to aid in physical development. Interactive games that involve some form of exercise are just as beneficial as standard exercise. Integrating gamification in this way is beneficial to students who enjoy playing video games but are not physically active.

Additional benefits include that children take ownership of their learning in a more relaxed environment, where they are less afraid to make mistakes. This means children are more primed to learn when play is a part of the curriculum. Gamification also provides measures through progress indicators. Finally, it teaches children to think creatively by explaining academic content in a non-academic way.