Gamification for learning
Learning can be a challenging task if the learners lack motivation. The introduction of technology has increased the need for eLearning. Most learners prefer to learn on the go rather than staying in a classroom. Gamification is one of the technological approaches used to improve eLearning. Through gamification, game-design elements and game principles are applied in an academic context. Education uses various game elements, such as points, badges, and leaderboards. In games, points are used to show progress. Badges, on the other hand, represent achievements. Leaderboards are used to show the competition and how one is ranked. Gamification in eLearning is meant to introduce the element of fun. People prefer to engage in activities that entertain them. The eLearning gamification entertains the learners while also educating them. The introduction of videogames in the mainstream media and easy access to mobile devices has intensified gamification.
Gamification technology in education
Gamification in education has been used in computer games, applications, classroom setup, and eLearning platforms. Some examples of gamification in learning include math Blater, Treasure Mountain, and Minecraft: Education Edition. Through these games, students learn how to code in-game format. The high usage of mobile devices has led Google to develop apps such as Read-Along. The app is aimed at using Google’s vice to read educational materials to learners. The technology helps learners to catch up on their courses on the go.
Another approach of gamification in education is the use of Kahoot to help develop an interactive learning session. Through the use of Kahoot, teachers can generate multiple choice quizzes where students can answer using their mobile phones. The teacher shares the link with the students, and they can participate in real-time in-class quizzes. The use of Kahoot motivates learners and offers them an opportunity to interact.
Archy Learning is a sample of the use of gamification in eLearning. Through this technique, teachers can cut and paste content from YouTube on the course materials. The multimedia presentation of course content motivates the learners to complete their courses. Gamification is used in educational video games, class quizzes, and badges and points to show progress and completion of courses.
Elearning gamification tools
Gamification has been shown to improve the performance of learners. Various tools are required to ensure the gamification of eLearning course content. The tools include:
- Raptivity
Raptivity is a tool that helps in creating interactive content. The tool provides over 180 eLearning templates to improve the learning experience. The templates consist of comparison charts, diagrams, questionnaires, and multiple-choice questions, where teachers and administrators can build an eye-catching course basing on the learners’ levels. This tool allows the customization of features such as color, font type, and background.
- Articulate
It aids in the creation of engaging content. Through the use of an Articulate storyline, presenter and quiz maker instructors can create engaging content. The creation of PowerPoint slides can also help when presenting the content to learners.
- iSpring
It is another tool that can be used to include an add-on when using PowerPoint. The tool helps in creating courses, presentations, quizzes, and various interaction fronts when using PowerPoint. The technique allows teachers to include video lectures and interactive quizzes on their PowerPoint presentations. The addition can be done while maintaining the standard PowerPoint features such as animation and fonts. The created content is easily be exported to SCORM to help in uploading to learning management systems.
- Adobe captivate
Helps in creating content compatible with multi-devices. The technique allows the use of UI to transform PowerPoint presentations to engage learners. It involves the use of actors, voices, interactions, and quizzes. The created content can be delivered on mobile devices, the web, and desktops.
- Elucidat
It is an intelligent, eLearning, authoring platform. Through the use of this platform, the use of desktop-based authoring software is eliminated. The platform is web-based and user-friendly, where users can create HTML5 content that can be accessed on any device. The availability of customization allows teachers to create interactive content.
Benefits of gamification
Gamification offers various benefits to learners and businesses. Some of the benefits include:
- Learning becomes interactive
Gamification of learning creates exciting, educational, and entertaining content. The approach makes learning fun and interactive. The interaction offered by the technique makes learning informative and exciting. Learners also experience role-play and competitive elements.
- Increase knowledge retention
Gamification also increases knowledge retention among learners. In most cases, learners have been known to forget what they have learned. The introduction of gamification in learning creates an addictive impact on learners. The learners will be eager to engage in the course because of the gamified content’s interactivity.
- Real-life applicability
Learners can associate the course content with real-world application. On the job training is effective when employees know how the acquired skill will help them solve problems. The rewards offered by the games help them understand that choices have an impact on life.
- Track progress
The tracking ability offered by gamification allows employees to measure their progress. Also, the constant feedback offered by the quizzes helps upper management to identify the problems. Also, the feedback offered by learners helps in improving organization performance.
- Learn in an informal environment
When used in eLearning, gamification helps learners to engage with course content in an informal environment.
Arguably, the use of gamification for learning has improved the learning experience. The compatibility of the content with mobile devices allows learners to learn on the go. The use of competition also gives the learners motivation to work hard and gain rewards and b