0In the current rapidly evolving educational landscape in the digital age, teachers and educators are continuously looking for new and innovative ways for the improvement of the learning experiences of the students and the enhancement of their engagement. In this regard, gamification in education is gaining a lot of attention and popularity among educators and students, which seeks to make the learning process enjoyable as well as improve the learning outcomes. Through the integration of the basic components of games into the learning procedures, educators can be able to convert traditional classrooms into engaging and dynamic circumstances where students can foster growth and explore learning.
Concept of gamification in education
Gamification in education refers to the usage of game mechanics, dynamics, and elements in the classroom for the enhancement of the motivation of the students and learning outputs. By introducing game dynamics, including rewards, points, challenges, badges and many others, into educational circumstances, the way of engaging students in complicated concepts is being revolutionised by educators. It has been reported that the level of engagement of the students is boosted up to 60 per cent by the offering of gamified experiences. The value of gamification in the education market worldwide is projected to touch 11670.18 million US dollars by 2030 showing a CAGR ( Compound Annual Growth Rate) of 33.61 per cent during the forecast period of 2020 to 2030.
Advantages of gamification in education
Increase motivation
Due to the addition of gamification in education, learning becomes more engaging and enjoyable which leads to the enhancement of motivation among the students in the active participation in the educational activities. The usage of components like badges, points, rewards, and leaderboards positively stimulates the students to fulfil their academic objectives and make developments in their studies. In a survey among 124 students, around 68 per cent of the students are found to be claiming that gamified courses are perceived as more motivating and exciting in comparison to traditional courses.
Develops cognitive skills
Students are empowered to think critically and creatively to find solutions to problems due to the implementation of gamification in education. The activities involved in gamification, like puzzles, challenges and decision-making circumstances, support the students to build significant cognitive skills and competencies, including analytical reasoning, strategic planning, decision making and problem-solving, which are essential to achieve career growth and opportunities in the 21st century.
Improve learning outcomes
As gamification in education is interactive in nature, it helps to create such an environment where students can gain in-depth learning experiences. Students can make a proper balance between theoretical and practical knowledge in terms of involvement in hands-on activities, challenges and simulations, which leads to enhanced retention and a comprehensive understanding of the learning materials. In a study surveying 365 students, it was observed that challenge-based gamification is accountable for the enhancement of student performances by up to around 89 per cent.
Offers personalised learnings
The emergence of advanced technologies like AI and data analytics allows gamified educational portals to provide personalised learning tailored to the individual preferences and requirements of the students. The customised feedback and adaptive algorithms deal with the unique learning approaches, interests and pace of the students, leading to the offering of tailored learning experiences to them.
Encourage social interaction
There are several gamified educational platforms which promote effective communication, cooperation and collaboration among students. The involvement in cooperative challenges, multiplayer games as well as in social features encourage students to be engaged in teamwork, exchanging perspectives and ideas, interacting with peers and mutual learning in favourable circumstances.
Enhance engagement
The attention of students is found to be captivated by gamification, which leads to the maintenance of their interest through the entire cycle of the learning procedure. Through the incorporation of aspects like exploration, competition, storytelling, and role play, the teachers become capable of creating an immersive learning environment which caters to the interest and curiosity of the students and allows them to be actively engaged in their educational curriculum.
Successful case studies of gamification in education
Duolingo
Duolingo, which is a language learning platform, integrates gamification in education by means of designing point-based progression and interactive lessons. Here, the language learning procedure becomes entertaining and engaging as the users can earn virtual currency on the completion of the tasks.
Kahoot!
In this popular platform, educators are permitted the formulation and sharing of interactive discussions, surveys and quizzes. With the inclusion of features such as instant feedback, leaderboards, and points, the respective platform has turned education into a competitive game, leading to increased knowledge retention and active participation.
Khan Academy
This mastery-based learning platform enables users to get access to badges and points when they master various subjects. This positively influences the learners to deal with challenging concepts and enjoy their achievements.
Unacademy
Unacademy, one of the leading EdTech institutions in India, offers gamified learning with the inclusion of various attractive features like leaderboards, live quizzes and badges. This strategy facilitates the platform to attract a million of students to join their courses across the country.
Minecraft: Education Edition
This is involved in utilising the potential of exploration and creativity in the improvement of learning in different subjects. It offers an opportunity to the educators for the formation of immersive virtual worlds allowing students to collaborate, solve problems and involve practical implications of theoretical knowledge.
Coursera
The students are awarded a digital certificate for the accomplishment of their course offered by Coursera. The learning experiences and outcomes are enhanced due to this type of recognition and achievement.
Classcraft
This gamified classroom management system is accountable for making the study into an epic adventure. Here, customisable avatars can be created by students along with the formation of teams and earning of points and rewards on level up.
Problems in the adoption of gamification in education in India
Expensive
The development and implementation of gamified educational techniques are quite costly. As a result, it is not possible for all educational establishments to make investments in these technologies due to the lack of resources. This issue is found to be more prevalent in government schools as well as in the budget of private schools.
Infrastructure problems
Technology is a crucial part of gamification. Despite the acceleration of digital transformation, all students, especially in rural areas, do not have equal access to internet connectivity and required devices, which restricts them from participating in gamified courses.
The gap in teacher training
In order to implement gamification effectively, educators require proficiency and expertise in the incorporation of these techniques in their teaching procedures. Nevertheless, a major gap is observed in the teacher training programs which emphasise gamification.
Cultural resistance
Traditional educational techniques are extremely rooted in Indian society. Therefore, many parents and educators are found to be showing concerns regarding the efficiency of gamified learning. Evidence-based advocacy as well as awareness is required for navigating this Cultural resistance.
Initiatives taken by the Indian Government to promote gamification in education
The government of India has been making efforts to promote digital education and gamification through initiatives such as eVidya and Digital India. The National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 also focuses on the implementation of interactive and experiential learning, which further leads to the increased integration of gamified educational tools.
FAQ
What is gamification in education?
Gamification in education refers to the usage of game mechanics, dynamics, and elements such as rewards, points, challenges, and badges in the classroom for the enhancement of the motivation of the students and learning outputs.
What are the examples of some leading gamification tools in education?
Leading gamification tools in education involve Duolingo, Kahoot!, Unacademy, Coursera, Classcraft, Khan Academy and many others.
How effective is gamification in education?
Due to the addition of gamification in education, learning becomes more engaging and enjoyable which leads to the enhancement of motivation among the students in the active participation in the educational activities.
What are the some challenges in adopting gamification in learnings in India?
Some of the problems connected with the integration of gamification in India include a lack of infrastructure and financial resources, a skill gap among the teachers, and cultural resistance.
