Education Technology Services
Gamification in Education: Enhancing Student Engagement Through Interactive Game-based Learning
Technological advancements have transformed the education and learning sector in more ways than one. One of the trends that has gained a lot of traction in recent times is gamification in education or gamified learning.
What is gamification in education?
Gamifying education implies integration of game design elements such as points, badges, leaderboards etc. into a learning environment to enhance student engagement and motivation.
The objective behind gamified education is to make learning more enjoyable and immersive. Gamified learning fosters dynamic learning, which in turn encourages students to participate actively in the learning process and achieve their educational goals through play.
Benefits of gamification in education
- Paves the way for personalised learning
- Fosters collaborative education
- Facilitates retention of information
- Provides a view of real-world applications
- Enhances the learning experience
Gamification helps to tailor the learning experience as per the unique needs of the learner. It can be used for educating students in schools/universities or for training employees in an organisation. According to a study by McKinsey, gamified learning enhances student engagement by 50 per cent. This is because students are more likely to stay committed when they feel that their learning is aligned with their needs. Also, personalised training in an organisational environment boosts the productivity rate of employees.
Studies indicate that gamification has emerged as a powerful tool for enhancing student interaction and collaboration. This is because gamification creates an environment where students bustle with engagement and enthusiastically participate in projects and group activities. Integrating elements like leaderboards, point scoring etc. transforms mundane activities into dynamic challenges that pave the way for camaraderie. Students feel more connected as they celebrate individual and team accomplishments.
Gaming elements make education more enjoyable for students, boosting their focus and interest. Higher engagement leads to better absorption and retention of information.
Gamified learning provides immediate feedback to students about areas that require improvement. Immediate reinforcement aids memory retention. Besides, it fosters active learning that helps in the quick absorption of knowledge.
Collaborative learning is a vital feature of gamified learning. It creates an environment where students discuss and share knowledge thereby enhancing information retention.
Gamified learning allows students to achieve the outcomes of their choices in a risk-free manner. Usually, games are designed such that the student does not progress to the next level until he or she has made the right decision or taken the right action. This encourages students to explore the subject matter in detail and understand the consequences of their knowledge outside of their virtual environment.
With gamified education, learning is no longer boring and mundane. Gamification boosts the learning experience and makes it more effective. Students can absorb any learning material better if they enjoy the learning process and actively participate in it.
Top technologies that power gamified learning
- Artificial Intelligence (AI)
- Internet of Things (IoT)
- Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR)
AI technologies like machine learning (ML), Generative AI (Gen AI) etc. are at the root of gamified learning. AI algorithms analyse user behaviour and learning patterns through different stages of their ramified exercises, and based on these insights, gaming experiences can be customised. AI tools help create personalised quizzes, assessments etc. for users based on their strengths and weaknesses. AI also facilitates building immersive role-playing scenarios and training simulations. ML algorithms make forecasts that help to create better gaming experiences in the future.
Data is gathered from IoT devices like smartphones, smartwatches etc. and this data is then leveraged to design a customised learning and assessment experience. IoT also facilitates providing feedback to students on their performance in gamified activities. The integration of IoT helps students stay engaged and continuously enhance their skills.
AR and VR help to create immersive experiences that make the educational content more interesting and memorable. They can simulate real-world scenarios in which students can practise their skills in a safe environment. Further, they provide feedback to students in real-time.
AR can overlay information onto real-world objects while VR can create fully interactive 3D models that help students understand complex concepts easily. VR fosters a collaborative learning experience by creating an environment where students can work cohesively.
In addition, technologies such as blockchain, Robotic Process Automation (RPA), etc., have also made an emphatic presence in the gamified learning space.
Final words
Gamification in education represents a powerful strategy for enhancing learning experiences and outcomes. Integration of game mechanics into educational settings fosters greater engagement, motivation and collaboration. These innovative approaches not only enhance the academic performance but also make the learning experience enjoyable and effective. Ultimately, gamification has the potential to create a more dynamic, inclusive and effective educational environment, which prepares learners for success in an increasingly complex world.
How Infosys can help
Infosys BPM provides Learner Segmentation and Recommendation Services that enable educational institutions to create customised learning solutions for students based on their proficiency. Our solutions offer an engaging and effective learning environment that motivates students to achieve their learning goals. Contact us to learn more.
