Scroll down to see others’ responses to our opening question
Our own approach to the question of what makes for a good learning activity can best be summed up by the following quote from the great Chinese philosopher, Confucius.
Since the uttering of those famous words, research has indeed been able to establish the crucial role that engagement plays in learning (Swan, 2003). Several theories of learning have come to emphasize that students must actively engage with content and their peers in order for effective learning to take place (Dennen & Wieland, 2007). Active learning is one such an approach that can be considered to facilitate increased student engagement (Hosseini et al., 2019). More recently though, game-based learning has increasingly gained interest from educators and researchers as a way of not only increasing engagement but also motivating students to take part in the learning process (Ebner & Holzinger, 2007).
However, before we continue with the role that game-based learning can play in education it is important to differentiate game-based learning from another popular term often encountered in educational settings i.e. gamification.
Activity:
Use the space below to give us some insight into your understanding of game-based learning and gamification.
Instructions:
In a sentence or two, describe your own definitions for gamification and game-based learning in the provided Padlets below. Optional- if there is a post that you feel stands out from the rest, you have the option of liking that post by clicking on the heart icon.
Some guiding questions: Are these two terms different for you? Can they achieve the same thing?
Gamification:
However, before we continue with the role that game-based learning can play in education it is important to differentiate game-based learning from another popular term often encountered in educational settings i.e. gamification.
Activity:
Use the space below to give us some insight into your understanding of game-based learning and gamification.
Instructions:
In a sentence or two, describe your own definitions for gamification and game-based learning in the provided Padlets below. Optional- if there is a post that you feel stands out from the rest, you have the option of liking that post by clicking on the heart icon.
Some guiding questions: Are these two terms different for you? Can they achieve the same thing?
Gamification:
Game-based Learning:
Definitions for Game-based Learning and Gamification
The concept of game-based learning formally refers to a form of experiential engagement whereby students can learn through the playing of a game, mostly considered to be digital, by partaking in trial and error, role-playing and by treating topics not as content but as a system with rules, choices and consequences (Perrotta et al., 2013).
Gamification on the other hand, can be better understood as the use of game based principles and game based mechanics in a non-game environment in order to engage, motivate, promote learning, and stimulate problem solving (Kapp, 2012).
Look at the following video featuring Karl Kapp, a pioneer in the use of gamification and learning games, with his explanation on the differences of gamification and game-based learning.
The concept of game-based learning formally refers to a form of experiential engagement whereby students can learn through the playing of a game, mostly considered to be digital, by partaking in trial and error, role-playing and by treating topics not as content but as a system with rules, choices and consequences (Perrotta et al., 2013).
Gamification on the other hand, can be better understood as the use of game based principles and game based mechanics in a non-game environment in order to engage, motivate, promote learning, and stimulate problem solving (Kapp, 2012).
Look at the following video featuring Karl Kapp, a pioneer in the use of gamification and learning games, with his explanation on the differences of gamification and game-based learning.
Of course, digital games and games in general for learning are nothing new and there have been various games developed specifically with the aim to help students learn. Such games are more commonly referred to as educational or serious games.
Below is a constructed timeline of some of the most influential educational games that first appeared in this market segment (there might even be a game or two that brings back a few memories). For those interested, if you click on the picture of a game, it will take you to a video of what that game looked like to play.
Below is a constructed timeline of some of the most influential educational games that first appeared in this market segment (there might even be a game or two that brings back a few memories). For those interested, if you click on the picture of a game, it will take you to a video of what that game looked like to play.
Optional Activity:
Here is Karl Kapp with his explanation of the term serious games (listen out for his mention of one of the games we highlighted in our timeline). |
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For those that are interested in watching more videos on gamification and game-based learning, below is a playlist that can be accessed or saved for later viewing: