Post 7: Gamification, Yay or Nay?

What is gamification? According to Badgeville.com, gamification is the concept of applying game mechanics and game design techniques to engage and motivate people to achieve their goals. This is starting to become more and more prevalent in schools. Teachers are using games to help students learn new material. While this may be a very effective way for students to learn, there are a few things that teachers need to consider when they bring gamification into the classroom. First is if the students are actually benefiting from the game. The students may appear to be having fun, which is one of the main benefits of gamification. But if the students aren't actually learning anything with the game then it is almost a waste of class time. Something else that teachers have to look out for is if the game is developmentally appropriate or not. If the game is to hard the student may get frustrated and give up on playing it. If the game is too easy than the student may lose interest. There are several things that teachers have to look out for. 

I think that the best gamification tool that we used in class was Osmo. I think that it was a great way to play and learn at the same time. Students can learn geometry or practice writing their letters. This was a very fun and interactive way to learn. One drawback to this was that it required an iPad, and the Osmo set. If you have iPads available to use, and are willing to pay for the sets than this is a great investment for the classroom. 

Overall I believe that gamification is a good thing. I think that it can help the students learn and have fun at the same time. I do not think that gamification can or should replace traditional instruction. I hope to include gamification in my classroom someday, but it will not completely take over my classroom. I will use it more of a reward in my classroom.