“Gamification” of Education ?

For a way to help motivate students to learn, and possibly learn on their own outside the classroom, the idea of ‘gamification’ of education has some merit.

In ‘gamifying’ education, the set up is important. Experts say that student should start the class with the idea that they are at zero (0) and have to work their way up, instead of starting out thinking, “I have an A+!” then everything from there on is only down. This attitude shift itself seems to be a large change in the culture, but it probably can be done.

When planning and implementing the ‘game’ the teacher needs to be sure to have specific skills at each level, or in more education terms, have observable behaviors that can be demonstrated. All of these would be working toward the objectives or goals of the course, of course.

The difficult part would be to tie in any group achievement – making sure that the lower students (who will never ‘win’ the ‘game’) also progress (learn). But planning, again, could help assure that peer support and assistance could be worked into the lessons (er, ‘game’). It would be important at many educational levels that this is planned and implemented.

The implementation of ‘gamifying education’, however, is still the sticky part. How many educators know how to design a game or have the technology to implement more complex games – let alone the time to plan it out? Gamification of education will be a slow process (at least good gamification).

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