Play, in any form, is inherent to a child. They come into contact with the external world through this activity. Children explore and understand concepts through unstructured play. Advancement in technology opened opportunities for them to engage in educational games.
The education system recognizes this strong link between play and a child’s learning. At present, there is a trend gaining a steady rise in the field of education. This trend is gamification.
Gamification refers to incorporating game elements into a lesson. Collaboration, competition, the use of rewards, and ranks are some of these elements. It also describes learning things in the context of games. By using this method, an educator nurtures not only the mind of the learner. The student moves to a new level of holistic development. Anybody who wishes to have a daycare center franchise should study this emerging trend. Here are some principles that make gamification a well-rounded way of learning.
Cognitive Development
Increases Engagement and Motivation
A young child still has a very short attention span. Traditional learning methods might wear them down. They will lose interest and might not feel the excitement to acquire knowledge. With gamification, teachers can present the lessons in a vibrant way. The idea of getting a reward also propels the learner to do their part.
The student also does not see the lesson as too difficult. They would feel motivated because they are having fun while learning. Core subjects such as math, science, and reading have many opportunities to use games.
Promotes Problem Solving Skills
An interesting aspect of a game is that it is guaranteed to give fun times. Yet, subtly, it also increases cognitive function. An educator can achieve this by providing a game that has no set approach to get to the answer. This way, the learner steps up to the challenge of thinking for a way to win.
Also, different levels would demand a higher order of thinking skills from the learner. In virtual games, there is the added pressure of completing a task within the given time limit.
Emotional Development
Understands the Concept of Progress
Gamification teaches a child that nothing is instant. They see their growth through a series of challenges to complete a quest. Leaderboards and learning badges make this progress more concrete. They develop a sense of self-evaluation as they see where they are versus what the task needs.
They also cultivate their self-esteem through gamification. As they pass through different levels, they see their capabilities to be more and give more. Rewards, whether external or intrinsic, further build their confidence.
Learns to Embrace Failure
Some teachers use online games as a method of gamification. With it, students encounter the possibility to experience a “game over.” They would understand that sometimes despite trying, they can still lose. But, what is good about online games is the opportunity to restart or reset a game. This concept teaches a learner to develop grit. Further, it helps them to manage frustration when they lose.
Social Development
Fosters Healthy Competition and Self-Discovery
One idea of gamification in education is to involve the class in healthy competition. It may be individuals or groups pitted against each other. Everybody gets involved and has an active role to play in the success of the task. Nobody is a passive learner.
Many students discover a different personality that they have in themselves through games. They have fewer inhibitions when doing things through the platform of play. Though there is a spirit of competition, students value fun above everything. Shy students can even manifest leadership potentials if given the right opportunity.
Teaches Being Inclusive
Games encourage students to have different roles and be on equal ground with one another. Gamification strips the division between achievers and struggling students. It also diminishes any prejudices on appearance, race, or gender. Students learn to move as a team.
Achievers get to see a different way to apply their skills. Achievers become more practical as they step out to a more hands-on platform. They may also find themselves with less pressure to perform. They can focus on enjoying themselves while learning.
Struggling students also gain some benefits in gamification. They feel more relaxed and comfortable learning. Their struggles are not highlighted. Instead, every little progress gets celebrated. Their interests are more piqued as compared to traditional learning. However, teaching your kids with the help of home tuition is still important.
Gamification should be a thoughtful process. It is not throwing in some games to the curriculum for the sake of playing only. Gamification goes beyond the fun and deeper into learning. If done well, a holistic learner emerges from such a method.
