Education is constantly evolving and is influenced by a number of currents of opinion and tendencies. One of these trends is gamification. What is it?
What is gamification
The very concept of gamification is a relatively new phenomenon emerging in education. However, it uses principles that are not a complete innovation, although the Comenius' slogan quoted in the introduction is paradoxically not relevant to this topic, as it has been misinterpreted by many later educational reformers.
However, even gamification attempts to approach teaching innovatively and to enliven it in a specific way. In general, it involves the use of game principles and mechanisms in non-game environments. It may therefore be far from being only in the sphere of education. Gamification has also found successful applications in marketing, for example.
In the context of learning, digital technologies such as gamified learning software are often used as gamification elements.
Games usually contain a series of objectives or procedures, clear rules and story elements. They are also characterised by high interactivity and constant feedback, including some kind of reward. They also sometimes include social elements of teamwork and communication.
Games can increase the level of learners' concentration and motivation and have the opportunity to give them the freedom to figure out the principles for themselves. They can therefore allow themselves to experiment and discover on their own and also make mistakes in this creative process, which is a natural part of learning.
But beware, not all learning can be gamified. Gamification should be balanced with other teaching approaches.
So far, expert studies are ambiguous about the age of students with whom gamification can be tried.
Overwhelmingly, the principle is applied to university students. And it is assumed that different ages show different responses. Also, not all instructors are yet able to effectively incorporate these mechanisms adequately into their classes.
The European Academy of Education is a modern educational institution for which the goal is precisely to implement new trends in teaching. Its core element is the emphasis on maximum student engagement. The curriculum is therefore adapted to them as much as possible. You can study online with no restrictions on location. Moreover, thanks to the individual study plan, students can also plan their time schedule better.
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