This week we explored the concept of gamified learning and examined the ways in which games could be used to compliment learning in the classroom. I believe that incorporating games in a classroom environment can be very beneficial as games can be used as powerful tools that can make an educational experience more engaging, interactive, and ultimately enjoyable. Since games are inherently interactive, they can be used as valuable tools to help capture the attention of students in ways that transcend traditional teaching methods. We specifically explored game apps, such as Duolingo and Khan Academy, and commented on the ways in which these platforms use games to elevate learning and provide an enriching experience for the users. These apps, and many other educational games incorporate similar key characteristics which include rewards through badges and progress bars to help learners keep track of their abilities and also entice them to continue playing the game. Since games are participatory in nature, they foster hands-on learning experiences that can help students better understand and retain information. For example, I have personally used Duolingo to help improve my Greek language skills and I find the accomplishment streaks to be very motivating and I look forward to practicing every day. I was also shocked to see how many Greek words and phrases I remembered, and I even felt more confident speaking with my family as a result of playing the game. I can firsthand attest to the fact that incorporating elements of competition and rewards can help motivate students to excel and strive for improvement in their performance.

Photo by: Sigmund

However, it is important to note that while I do believe that gamified learning holds value and importance in the classroom, they can also create be a hinderance if not properly managed. I think it is necessary to combine both traditional teaching methods and gamified learning as if not properly managed, I do think that games can become a source of distraction and may actually not fulfill the intended educational objectives of the class. Games are also competitive in nature, and this can cause issues in the classroom, especially in regards to activities that require collaboration. As well, due to budget constraints, teachers may find it difficult to access the technology needed to implement game resources.