We all have had the pleasure of being drawn in by our favorite game. It engages us, gives, us determination, we won’t stop until we win it. So what if this same gaming concept was incorporated into education . As the world changes, the way we learn changes as well, and so does student’s mindsets.
Gamification vs Game-Based Learning in the Classroom. 01
Gamification vs. Game-based learning Gamification and game-based learning are similar in that both strategies promote engagement and sustained motivation in learning
In game-based learning, the game is the learning experience , whereas in gamification, the game components are added to the traditional instruction method.
Albert Einstein himself indicated they are the most elevated form of investigation. He knew games are avenues for something deeper and more meaningful than a childish waste of time. Games promote situated learning, or in other words, learning that occurs in groups of practice during immersive experiences. Oftentimes, playing games are the first method children use to explore higher-order thinking skills associated with creating, evaluating, analyzing, and applying new knowledge.
Gamification 02
What is Gamification? The process of adding game elements or mechanics to an experience to increase engagement or enjoyment. These game elements are usually separated from the actual learning content. Gamified lessons or activities may include elements such as badges, leaderboards, timed activities, rewards or points.
What is Gamification? Gamification is the use of activities and a rewards system to encourage motivation. The idea is that making the process of learning more enjoyable will motivate the students to engage more in their studies. It essentially turns the learning process into a game by applying game mechanics to the course. That means incorporating elements like achievement badges, point systems, or leaderboards within the classroom.
Games can introduce goals, interaction, feedback, problem solving, competition, narrative, and fun learning environments, elements that can increase learner engagement and sustain motivation.
ADVANTAGES Of Gamification
One of the most prevalent advantages of gamification is that it encourages students to become active learners and participants. The intention is that the motivation of the reward will eventually shift into motivation for learning itself. The use of activities and games teaches students to associate learning with curiosity and joy instead of stress and fear. Studies show that this shift from a fixed mindset to a growth mindset makes students more successful in education. A study found that students who learned skills from gamified learning courses scored 14% higher than those who learned through traditional methods.
Examples Of Gamification In The Classroom
Examples of gamification in the classroom include: Separating students into groups to compete on assignments or activities. Enabling students to earn points for behavior or completion of assignments and allowing them to spend the points on rewards. Timed flash cards or worksheets. Badges to show completion of work or mastery of skills. Using dice to generate random numbers for a worksheet activity. Giving points for meeting academic objectives
Sample BADGES
Game-Based Learning 03
What is Game-Based Learning? Game-Based Learning (GBL) specifically uses games to teach students certain skills or a specific learning outcome. This game would give students clear and challenging objectives within the framework of a game. Game-based learning incorporates games, both digital and non-digital, into the learning process to engage students, enhance their understanding, and motivate them to continue learning. This teaching approach is all about making learning fun, interactive, and immersive!
Game-Based Learning (GBL) specifically uses games to teach students certain skills or a specific learning outcome. This game would give students clear and challenging objectives within the framework of a game. Game-based learning incorporates games, both digital and non-digital, into the learning process to engage students, enhance their understanding, and motivate them to continue learning. This teaching approach is all about making learning fun, interactive, and immersive!
The application of games in education can foster notable improvements in both learning and education outcomes. (Kula, 2021; Syafii , 2021).
Benefits of game-based learning Game-based learning offers students a number of unique learning benefits including: Increases student engagement and motivation When students are having fun and actively participating in games, they are more likely to retain information and grasp complex concepts. The more engaged students are, the more motivated they are to continue playing and learning. Builds problem solving skills for students . Game-based learning also helps promote problem solving and critical thinking skills by requiring students to think strategically, make decisions, gather and respond to new information, and more as they progress through playing a game. Introduces students to situational learning Overall, game-based learning can help your students change the way they approach learning and make school much more engaging and meaningful.
Game-based Learning Research Research around game-based learning shows this correlation between motivation, engagement, complex problem solving and other social and emotional skills. One of the more popular investigations is that of learning through failure and the shift from a fixed mindset to a growth mindset. A student with a fixed mindset believes that intelligence is inherent and unchanging. A student with a growth mindset believes that they can change and improve their knowledge with effortful learning ( Carol Dweck, et al. ) The nature of learning through failure and mastery in games naturally lends itself to developing a growth mindset.
Game-based learning examples
Card games — A game that uses a traditional or game-specific deck of cards. “War” is a traditional card game that can have a mathematical twist. Check out our list of classroom math games to learn how to play. Board games — A game you play on a board that usually involves the movement of pieces. Chess and checkers are popular ones, but there are hundreds if not thousands of board games for kids to explore. Simulation games — A game designed to closely simulate real-world activities. The Sims, which launched in 2000, is one of the most popular series of life simulation games that involves creating and exploring virtual worlds. Word games — A game that’s typically designed to explore the properties of language or the ability to use a language itself. Scrabble is an example of a traditional word game while the app Words With Friends is a more modern one. Puzzle games — A game that emphasizes puzzle solving through one’s use of things such as logic, word completion, sequence solving, as well as spatial and pattern recognition. For example, Sudoku and 2048 are popular math puzzles.
There are a ton of great game-based learning examples to choose from and help you get inspired. To get you started we’ve picked a few different examples broken out by grade level below: Kindergarten game-based learning examples Alphabet Hunt - Hide letters of the alphabet around the classroom or in a designated play area. Students must find the letters and say the corresponding letter sound when they discover them. Number Line Hopscotch - Create a giant number line on the floor using tape. Students take turns hopping on the numbers, and as they land on a number, they have to say the number that comes before or after.
1st Grade game-based learning examples Sight Word Bingo - Create Bingo cards with sight words instead of numbers. Call out sight words, and students mark them off on their cards as they hear them. Math Fact Race - Design a racing game where students solve math problems to move their game piece forward. For example, "2+3" or "7-4". 2nd Grade game-based learning examples Fraction Pizza - Use paper or cardboard to create fraction "pizza slices." Students have to assemble a whole pizza using fractions like 1/4, 1/2, or 3/4.
3rd Grade game-based learning examples Historical Scavenger Hunt - Create a scavenger hunt with historical facts hidden around the classroom or school. Students search for the facts and match them to the corresponding historical event or figure. Multiplication Puzzles - Design puzzles where students have to match multiplication equations with their correct answers. For example, connecting "3 x 4" to "12".
4th Grade game-based learning examples Grammar Ninja - Turn grammar practice into a game where students act as "Grammar Ninjas" and identify parts of speech (e.g., nouns, verbs, adjectives) in sentences. Geography Challenge - Use a map-based game where students locate countries, states, or landmarks based on clues provided, helping them reinforce their geography knowledge.
5th Grade game-based learning examples Science Jeopardy - Play a Jeopardy-style game where students answer questions related to various science topics they have studied. Here’s a great Jeopardy game template in Google Slides to get you started! Decimals Duel - Create a competitive game where students compare decimals and decide which one is greater or lesser.
“With game-based learning, students become more engaged with their learning. They go from struggling to finding a way to overcome that struggle and start looking for solutions and innovating strategies on their learning” -Ryan Reed, Business & Technology Teacher at Stillman Valley High School
Game–based learning platforms (ONLINE)
Kahoot Kahoot ! is a game-based learning platform that allows you to create interactive quizzes, discussions, and surveys to help reinforce learnings from your lesson plans.
Quizlet Quizlet’s platform lets you create flashcards, quizzes, and study games for your students to reinforce material or just to have a fun study game
EdPuzzle EdPuzzle is an interactive video platform that allows you to customize and enhance educational videos by adding questions, quizzes, and notes to engage students and assess their comprehension.
How Game-Based Learning Enhances Learning Outcomes G ame-based learning include strengthening motivation to learn, encouraging active participation, and reducing student stress. It’s a fun way to encourage students to think critically , work together in groups, and engage in class material. Game-Based Learning helps in Simplifying difficult concepts: Abstract concepts can be difficult to teach. Games can be used to give a tangible shape to such concepts, allowing employees look at them from a different perspective. Learning by Doing As digital technology grows, it becomes more and more difficult to keep the employees engaged. Game-based learning helps to bridge this gap and bring them closer to reality. It makes learning multisensory and more alive. Improved Problem-Solving and Critical-Thinking Skills As games can present complex and realistic scenarios that require learners to make decisions and solve problems, they can challenge learners to think creatively, analytically, and strategically.