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‘Games’, the very word evokes pleasant feelings in our minds. We closely associate gaming with fun and relaxation. At best, problem solving is the closest you can get to learning. But this assumption is so yesterday. If you are not surprised, then you can already guess what gamification is and how it works as an adaptive learning strategy.
Before we dive deep into gamification, we’ll look at adaptive learning. Adaptive learning is essentially computer-based learning that creates a personalized learning path to address individualistic needs. Gamification is not an integral part of adaptive learning. However, since adaptive learning aims to increase engagement in learners to improve learning outcomes, gamification can be successfully deployed as an adaptive learning strategy.
By weaving game mechanics such as leaderboards, points and badges, and other fun features of the games into the training modules, these gamified experiences feed into the innate sense of competition thereby motivating and encouraging the learner. Gamification revolves around deploying the game mechanics (which is fun and exciting) in non-game environments to motivate and engross participants. Gamification can be effectively used as an adaptive learning strategy for aspiring learners.
The underlying principle behind gamification is participation and reward. Gamification makes effective use of our innate desires for Competition, Achievement, and Status.
Gamification, as an adaptive learning strategy, is a much sought panacea. However, the problem arises when we look at what learning methodology gamification tries to reinforce. Gamification techniques tend to overstress getting things right and getting them right in the least time with the fewest attempts possible. This rewarding system based on right/wrong summative feedback may kindle intrinsic motivation and competitive spirit and drive learners to accomplish more. But it can also misfire. The right/wrong paradigm can unintentionally encourage learners to search for the shortest and cheapest means to pick out the right answers.
To conclude, it is essential that the learner not only notices his errors but also understands his erring pattern and rectifies prospective errors.
The probable solution: Coupling summative feedback with formative assessment.
This combination can strengthen retention capacity in learning without compromising the enjoyment aspect.
Gamification creates a gateway to enhance learning experiences for its users. Gamified features keep evolving which provides more opportunities to create much better and interactive scenarios for the learners. This powerful yet easy learning approach can be applied to various industries/sectors enabling the learner to acquire more skills and information in a fun and effective way.