What is gamification?
Gamification is "the use of game thinking and game mechanics attached to work [in order to] promote a change in behavior..to motivate and engage people" (Zinger, 2014, p. 32; Miller, Kapp, & Brusino, 2014). Games are used to enhance learning because they provide the user with a mechanism to engage with the content and experience instant reward.
But isn't it all just for fun and entertainment?
No, not really. Games are effective because the learner is interactive with the content. The game is designed specifically to keep the learner's attention to the activity throughout the entire experience.
So how do games really benefit the learner?
Serious games have many benefits including:
Please take a look at the video below for a quick review of gamification!
Gamification is "the use of game thinking and game mechanics attached to work [in order to] promote a change in behavior..to motivate and engage people" (Zinger, 2014, p. 32; Miller, Kapp, & Brusino, 2014). Games are used to enhance learning because they provide the user with a mechanism to engage with the content and experience instant reward.
But isn't it all just for fun and entertainment?
No, not really. Games are effective because the learner is interactive with the content. The game is designed specifically to keep the learner's attention to the activity throughout the entire experience.
So how do games really benefit the learner?
Serious games have many benefits including:
- the ability to simulate real-life scenarios in a safe setting
- encourage team building, increase skills
- work through process and decisions (Knosp et al, 2013)
Please take a look at the video below for a quick review of gamification!