Gamification- Taking Learning to a Whole New Level

Education professionals are continuously devising new teaching and learning strategies. With the rapid changes in technology and e-learning, various new learning methods are being explored and successfully deployed across all educational institutions, as well as businesses and corporations.

Until 20th century, the use of games as a means of learning and teaching were not considered. Apart from standard Britannica encyclopedia, typing tutor and other similar interactive software, the application of interactive graphics as a means of encouraging learning was unexplored. However, this concept changed drastically with the turn of the century.

Ever since the first video games were developed, they have since increased the players’ desire to learn, compete, set and achieve goals and engage in critical thinking. Gamification is now widely being used as one of the most preferred methods of learning. Here’s how it helps:

Learning for ADD
Attention Deficit Disorder (AAD) is characterized by a short concentration span and being distracted easily. For students and professionals suffering from ADD, focusing on lectures and presentations in the classroom or office can be a difficult task. Gamification, in such cases, provides an interactive learning opportunity that better maintains their attention, without the occasional tuning in and tuning out as in the case of traditional learning. The primary reason is because interactive graphics are better retained by ADD sufferers.

Recruitment
For corporations spending millions on searching the right people for the job, Gamification is a highly interactive way of ensuring that the recruited have the skills and competence necessary for their job role and responsibilities. An example would be the application of the Virtual Army Experience stimulation by the U.S. Army at the time of recruitment of individuals for their programs.

Critical Thinking and Resource-Planning
Implementing Gamification in training also increases retention of learning. Using video and audio stimulants in a competitive environment creates an innovative, engaging experience. Learners use critical thinking and problem solving skills to strategize, prioritize and achieve their goal with the limited amount of resources available. As they are focusing on the game at hand, learners are working through and applying the training content. This active process allows the brain to transfer the knowledge from short-term to long-term memory.

Fostering Leadership and Team Building
Gamification can be applied when creating both single player and multiplayer modes. In every game, there is a winner. Achieving goals successfully guarantees a win for the player. Motivation, engagement and leadership building are primary objectives of learning through single player games. Similarly, forming unions and partnerships during the game polishes the individuals’ team building skills through multiplayer mode.

Learning through gamification sharpens the player’s memory and assists them in capturing and retaining information. This helps in imparting technical and specialist knowledge and speeding up the overall learning process. It, therefore, does not come as a surprise why various learning centers and businesses are evaluating gamification as an option to impart knowledge.