Game-like Strategies as Motivators
Monika Ambrozowicz claims that gamification “increases engagement, as many people have a natural need for competition and reaching new levels”, observing that “an engaged student will learn and achieve more than a bored one” (Logarta, 2014).
Opponents argue that “after the initial novelty has worn off” (Itworx.education, 2014) learning can become boring and repetitive. If a task is too difficult, then game elements are not enough to keep learners interested, especially if they must repeat it several times. If gamification of an experience can lead to a feeling of “losing” – particularly if there are others “winning” – then it can have a demotivating effect.
Gamifying learning can serve to create a motivating and engaging classroom experience, and game-like techniques are already popular with teachers (Bowman, 2015), being used to help with memorisation of knowledge taught in class with supplementary learning possibilities that learners can explore for themselves. Motivated by the game-like elements, learners keep working to progress in their own time as they strive to achieve a goal.
The below e-Learning infographic (from http://elearninginfographics.com/gamification-elearning-infographic/) details how simple game techniques can be applied to get positive results from learners.
Gamification in eLearning Infographic (e-Learning Infographics, 2015).
Bibliography:
Bowman, L. (2015). Play to Learn: Great Sites on Gamification | Top5OnlineColleges.org. [online] Top5onlinecolleges.org. Available at: http://top5onlinecolleges.org/gamification/ [Accessed 18 Jan. 2016].
e-Learning Infographics, (2015). Gamification in eLearning Infographic – e-Learning Infographics. [image] Available at: http://elearninginfographics.com/gamification-elearning-infographic/ [Accessed 22 Jan. 2016].
Logarta, M. (2014). The gamification of education: Why playing is the future of learning. [online] GMA News Online. Available at: http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/365281/scitech/technology/the-gamification-of-education-why-playing-is-the-future-of-learning [Accessed 10 Jan. 2016].
Itworx.education, (2014). Gamification in Education: the Good, the Bad and the Ugly. [online] Available at: http://www.itworx.education/gamification-in-education/ [Accessed 20 Jan. 2016].