Three Ways Educators Leverage Gamification Strategies

Key points:

Students don’t have to be video game fans to appreciate a gamified classroom lesson. When teachers turn a difficult-to-teach lesson or concept into a motivational game or use a fun competition to teach new concepts, students become immersed in their learning and are often more engaged, meaning they are more likely to learn. retain the information.

Still, there is an art to gamifying a lesson and ensuring that students actually learn rather than simply playing a game to earn points.

Here’s how educators across the country are using tools—from Minecraft: Education Edition to Roblox to easily accessible online resources—to gamify their lessons and help students engage in learning.

1. Carrie Rosenberg, fourth grade teacher at Community Christian School, notes that gamification is one of the biggest educational trends right now. According to ISTE, “gamification consists of transforming the classroom environment and usual activities into a game.” Many students want more than just good grades in school: they want something physical or immediate. Rosenberg uses be born, Kahoot!and prodigy to gamify your instruction and motivate students. Learn more about their instructional strategies..

2. Games are part of many people’s lives; So why not use them to benefit students when teaching? Abigail Beran, a fifth-grade teacher enrolled in a master’s program in educational technology, knows that her students are more likely to participate in an educational activity when it is gamified, and that they are even more likely to do so when the activity is gamified . With technology. There are a variety of reading and math apps and websites that accommodate gamification and even provide the opportunity to differentiate yourself. Beran uses tools that include once children, dreamscapes, english prodigyand IXL language arts for gamification and uses of English/language arts Math prodigy, math playground, pet bingo, sushi monsterand mathematics ixl to gamify mathematics. Find out how you integrate these gamified tools into your classroom.

3. As an educator for over 27 years and a digital learning specialist (social studies) for the past 7 years in Atlanta Public Schools, Felisa Ford has supported educators across the district and beyond as they intentionally integrate technology into the classroom to promote participation and 21^street century skill development. While there are many tools and resources available to educators to support their efforts to create dynamic digital learning environments, one of the most engaging is Minecraft Education Edition (M:EE). Popular among students (and teachers!), M:EE is a game-based learning platform that promotes creativity, collaboration, and problem-solving in an immersive digital environment. Read about five ways Ford has helped district teachers use M:EE in classroom instruction.

Laura Ascione is the editorial director of eSchool Media. She graduated from the prestigious Philip Merrill School of Journalism at the University of Maryland.

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