How to Use Gamification to Improve Student Learning

The average human’s attention span is shortening every year. It is getting increasingly more challenging for learners to stay focused and invested in what they are learning.

More students are getting burnt out and tired of the traditional education system. They are being forced to study subjects that do not interest them. More are turning to video games and sports to relieve stressful exams and project deadlines.

Video games are designed to keep players engaged and return for more. Continuous improvement leading to rewards is why video games are so fun and addictive.

Each year, video game companies invest a hefty amount of their revenue into finding new methods to keep gamers engaged. Those methods are all backed by human psychology, and they could apply to education in a few twists.

This article will discuss a few gamification methods that could make the school a fun place to hang out again. Are you interested? Let’s dive in.

Integrate Rewards Into Course Materials

There is nothing more draining for students than completing assignments for it. Without actual-world application, assignments have little use outside of testing students’ knowledge. 

Comparing homework to video game missions shows a clear difference in engagement and the motivational factor. Video game quests are fun because they grant players rewards, while homework does not. What happens if we reward students?

Rewards have been shown to improve students’ internal and external motivation. Rewards give students a clear finish line to cross. If they stay committed long enough, a guaranteed prize is waiting for them. Students are motivated to work harder if they can see what rewards they are getting.

How students access rewards could also be another factor that improves engagement. First, students need to level up. To do so, they need to gain experience points by passing exams, assignments, or quizzes. Every student can participate and earn rewards, but only the best of them can access the highest tier of rewards.

Rewards should be enticing enough to encourage commitment. Items such as ice cream or $5 gift cards are perfect because they are not too expensive, but everyone enjoys earning them. By completing assignments, students learn by default. As a result, this method makes the learning process more fun and goal-oriented.

Use Video Games to Boost Engagement

Do you know why games are so fun, and class assignments are the opposite? Because visuals are much more entertaining than plain texts.

Visuals are proven to improve students’ engagement in education. Humans are naturally attracted to visuals because it is easier to understand. Our brain hates to process long chunks of confusing texts.

The more interactive visuals become, the more engaged students will be. For example, Math Toon is a game about helping a bear find his mom by answering correct math equations. The fun part of this game is to guide the bear using math knowledge. Also, you get to see where the bear goes every time a correct answer is given. The instant feedback rewards the dopamine system and encourages players to keep making correct answers. Comparing that to a traditional grading system, we can see how effective video games can be at teaching if used appropriately.

Use Video Games to Help Students Establish Goals

Games are a great tool to establish a sense of agency for students. It means taking responsibility for your life. Without goals, it is difficult to find motivation in everyday life. Games can help students prime their brains for goal-setting behaviors.

Using video games to learn is an excellent way for students to absorb and process information. In games, there are clear win conditions. If a player fails, they try again. Students make new connections, develop new strategies, and keep trying until they succeed. As a result, students often find unique angles to tackle the solution and express fulfillment once they overcome the blockage.

Students who know to set goals have a better chance of succeeding. Games also help students train critical thinking skills, which complements goal-setting behaviors directly. Puzzles are an effective way to introduce the brain regions responsible for critical thinking. Logical games, such as Jigsaw puzzles, help students find more relevant and connecting ideas.

Introduce Multiplayer to Increase Participation

Some aspects of gaming, such as competition, scoreboards, or badges, effectively promote further engagement and participation for students. These aspects rely on the need for social approval and social hierarchy to push individuals beyond their capability. In other words, competition can be a great tool to motivate students to achieve more.

How should teachers include multiplayer in a class setting? The setup can be as broad or detailed as necessary. Generally, there would be a live scoreboard that anyone could see. This board should include any students’ accomplishments in the current school year. Students with the highest grades or achievements should rank very high.

However, one should be mindful about introducing social-based game elements into a class setting. Not every student will react in the same manner. Students with low extraversion and high shyness might respond negatively to competition and multiplayer, reducing effectiveness. Therefore, it is essential to conduct a personality test for your students before setting up an unorthodox learning environment.

Summary

Education is vital to any individual and society as a means to progress. It is impossible to invent life-changing ideas without education. Gamification has become more prevalent in educational settings over the past decade to motivate students and encourage social interaction. Gamification provides an additional incentive for learning because of the inherent attractiveness of games to both adults and children alike and the powerful influence they have on their lives.

If we could utilize what makes video games so interesting, we can translate what we know into education. As a result, students will change their mindset about learning. They will look forward to coming to class and completing assignments.