Somewhere between dodging vehicles on a video game to dodging traffic on the way to work, we all grew up. From legendary games such as Mario, to the most recent hits like PUBG, each game has unique strategies and unique goals.
Games can be something more than just a waste of time, if implemented wisely, it can promote what is called situated learning, a learning process that occurs during engaging activities without actually intending to. In simple words you are learning something useful without even realizing it.
The technique is called ‘gamification’ (a technique to encourage engagement in non-gaming activities using games).
When used as an educating tool, games can:
- Make learning interactive and fun.
- Promote problem-solving skills (an essential skill you need today and forever).
- Promote communication, co-operation, and competition (teamwork).
- Trigger creativity and imagination.
- Trigger out-of-the-box thinking.
- Improve application skills
- Promote better recall and higher memory retention.
- Teach you to play by the book (follow rules).
- Enhance the learning experience.
- And more…
According to a survey including students and businessmen, close to 90% of the participants claimed that a game-oriented learning process gave better results. More than 60% agreed that a gamified-content was more motivating than a traditional learning content.
In the realm of education, EdTechs in particular, gamification is picking up steam. With success stories such as BYJU’S leading the charge, the possibilities of gamification are endless.
With BYJU’S, students learn by playing games, where they can compete with each other, solve quizzes, master concepts through interactive modules, and earn reward points (to stay motivated). BYJU’S have more to offer through Osmo (an AR based learning platform) which focuses on the use of augmented reality (AR) to help kids learn.
Gamification is not just limited to online-learning as well. For example, fitness apps have turned tedious jogs into a virtual race, financial apps have made saving and paying bills fun, and productivity apps have made tracking your tasks more engaging.
I agree there are downsides to excessive addiction to playing video games, but there are surprising benefits as well. I for one learned how to drive a car from a very simple mobile game Dr. Driving.
