Gamification in the Classroom
Gamification is the use of game elements in non-game contexts to motivate and engage users. In the classroom, gamification can be a powerful tool for motivating students and helping them to achieve their learning goals.
Motivation refers to the driving force that inspires and energises individuals to engage in certain behaviours or activities. There are two main types of motivation: intrinsic and extrinsic. Intrinsic motivation refers to the desire to engage in an activity for its own sake, because it is personally rewarding or fulfilling. This type of motivation is often associated with a sense of autonomy, competence, and relatedness. Extrinsic motivation, on the other hand, refers to the desire to engage in an activity in order to achieve some external reward or outcome.
Gamification elements can be used to provide learners with both intrinsic and extrinsic motivation, depending on the goals and objectives of the learning activity.
Intrinsic Motivation
To motivate learners with intrinsic motivation, it can be effective to use gamification elements that provide a sense of autonomy, competence, and relatedness. This can be achieved by giving learners control over their own learning experience, providing them with feedback and opportunities to improve their skills, fostering a sense of connection and community among learners, and allowing them to tailor their learning experience to their own interests and goals.
If the goal is to motivate learners to engage in an activity because they find it personally meaningful or enjoyable, it will be more effective to use gamification elements that support intrinsic motivation.
Here are some examples of when to apply game elements that will support intrinsic motivation, and how it can be achieved:
- Providing learners with a sense of autonomy: Gamification techniques that give learners control over their own learning experience, such as allowing them to choose their own learning path or set their own goals, can support intrinsic motivation by providing a sense of autonomy.
- Supporting a sense of competence: Gamification techniques that provide learners with feedback and opportunities to improve their skills, such as through practice tasks or quizzes, can support intrinsic motivation by helping learners feel competent and capable.
- Promoting relatedness: Gamification techniques that foster a sense of connection and community among learners, such as through social learning or collaboration, can support intrinsic motivation by promoting a sense of relatedness and belonging.
- Providing personalisation: Gamification techniques that allow learners to tailor their learning experience to their own interests and goals can support intrinsic motivation by making the learning experience more personally meaningful.
Extrinsic Motivation
To motivate learners with extrinsic motivation, it can be effective to use gamification elements that provide external rewards such as points, badges, or leaderboards. These rewards can serve as tangible markers of progress and achievement, and can help to motivate learners to engage in an activity in order to achieve some external outcome.
When the goal is to motivate learners to engage in an activity in order to achieve some external reward or outcome, it will be more effective to use gamification elements that support extrinsic motivation.
Here are some examples of when to apply game elements that will support extrinsic motivation, and how it can be achieved:
- Providing tangible rewards: Gamification techniques that provide external rewards such as points, badges, or leaderboards can support extrinsic motivation by giving learners a tangible marker of progress and achievement.
- Creating a sense of competition: Gamification techniques that create a sense of competition, such as through leaderboards or competitions, can support extrinsic motivation by giving learners an incentive to outperform their peers.
- Encouraging goal-setting: Gamification techniques that encourage learners to set and achieve specific goals, such as through progress tracking or personalised learning plans, can support extrinsic motivation by giving learners a clear sense of what they are working towards.
- Providing incentives: Gamification techniques that provide incentives for completing certain tasks or achieving certain milestones can support extrinsic motivation by giving learners a tangible reward for their efforts.
Avoiding the Pitfalls of Points Systems and Leaderboards
Gamification can be a powerful tool for motivating students in the classroom, but it is crucial to be aware of its potential downsides. Incorrect implementation of gamification can lead to decreased student motivation, particularly among those who need it the most. Examples of this include the use of points systems and leaderboards that can potentially demotivate instead of engage.
Leaderboards can be a great way to create a sense of competition and progress, but they can also lead to negative feelings for students who aren’t performing as well as others. To avoid this, it’s important to use leaderboards in a way that is inclusive, not exclusive. For example, in a group of 20+ students, you could use a leaderboard that only shows the top 5, so that everyone can see how their score relates to others, without anyone feeling singled out for not being at the top of the leaderboard.
Another example is the use of points systems. Points systems can be a great way to provide students with a sense of progress and accomplishment, but they can also lead to feelings of inadequacy if students feel like they’re not earning enough points. To avoid this, it’s important to ensure that the points system is fair and transparent, and to provide students with regular feedback on their progress and methods to ‘catch up’ on points if they fall behind.
Balancing Intrinsic and Extrinsic Motivation
When implemented thoughtfully, Gamification can provide educators with some very useful tools for motivating students in the classroom. However, when considering implementing these tools and techniques, it’s important to strike a balance between student’s intrinsic and extrinsic motivation to better accommodate the needs and preferences of different learners. Intrinsic motivation is more effective in the long term, as it is based on the learner’s personal enjoyment and sense of accomplishment. Extrinsic motivation, on the other hand, is based on tangible rewards. By using a combination of both, teachers can create a more engaging and enjoyable learning experience for their students. If implemented correctly, gamification can increase student engagement, motivation, and the overall level of fun, enjoyment, and achievement in the classroom.
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