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Expanding Educational Horizons with New Tech and Gamification

Research from the Learning and Digital Media departments at New York University presents some interesting discussions about the role of games in future learning and probes the evolving presence of technology in schools and the changing characteristics of students.

In the modern technological world, teaching methods have had to change dramatically. Computers are now commonplace in classrooms and instead of cramped computer rooms stocked with one or two hardware relics, each student has their own personal login to school computer networks comprising of dozens of machines.

The educational software industry is a huge market spanning from dedicated learning programs to be used in schools, to e-learning systems that students from around the world can tap into, often for free.

Mobile devices such as tablets and smartphones give learners yet more flexibility and freedom to learn. For the new generation of users who were born into a world of mobile devices, this technology comes naturally and young learners are not only more willing to take their learning experiences into digital environments, but they demand it.

Gamifying learning gives educators the opportunity to attract this new generation of student by showing them a learning experience that can be interactive and rewarding and presented in a style that is instantly familiar to them.

 

 

Reference:

Plass, J., Biles, M., Frye, J. and Huang, T. (2016). Video Games & the Future of Learning | Connect: Information Technology at NYU. [online] Wp.nyu.edu. Available at: https://wp.nyu.edu/connect/2012/04/30/video-games-the-future-of-learning/ [Accessed 03 Jan. 2016].