Gamification For Higher Education: Why Is It Important?
Education isn't known to be the most fun experience out there, especially in higher classes like high school or college. However, it doesn't have to be dull, either. One of the newest trends in the field is gamification. It's the process of taking elements from video games, like points, levels, and achievements, and adding them into non-game environments, like classes. It's about using game mechanics to motivate students, engage, and invest in what they're learning. Gamification has been slowly making its way into higher education and online learning platforms, and for good reason. Students, especially those raised on video games, apps, and social media, are used to interactive and engaging experiences. So, you're offering them new knowledge in the way they best know how to gain it: technology and games.
Now, not everyone is motivated the same way. What works for one student may not work for another. That's where diverse gamification comes in. Some students thrive in competitive environments, while others may prefer personal achievements, like earning badges or unlocking levels. For the more introverted or collaborative learners, gamification can include team challenges or group quests, where working together leads to rewards. And let's not forget the importance of accessibility. Not everyone learns at the same pace or in the same way, so gamification can be tailored to fit a variety of learning preferences. Let's explore all these and many more below and see how you can apply gamification to higher education.
5 Core Gamification Features And How To Apply Them In Higher Education
1. Points And Leaderboards
If you've ever played a video game, you already know about points, badges, and leaderboards. You earn points for completing tasks, get badges as virtual trophies, and climb up the leaderboard by earning high scores. Now imagine this in higher education: getting points for successfully completing assignments. For example, students could earn points for submitting essays, presenting a project, collaborating on group tasks, and many others. These points track progress and also give instant feedback. Badges can be given for things like consistent attendance, passing a test, etc. Lastly, leaderboards bring motivation. Seeing their name climbing up the board makes students try harder and feel more confident when it comes to learning.
2. Quests
Quest-based learning is here to turn every curriculum into a small adventure. Instead of sitting through lectures or reading textbooks, students can take on quests to understand content, solve problems, and unlock achievements. Designing content to look like a set of quests makes learning feel less like something mandatory and more like something fun. Students look at each assignment as a mission with a clear purpose. For instance, if you're teaching them about Ancient Egypt, how about creating a challenge where they dive into the world of pharaohs and uncover ancient mysteries? This way, every new piece of content they tackle feels like they level up. This type of gamification gives higher education what it usually lacks: autonomy. Letting students choose their own quests and missions allows them to take control of their learning path and feel more engaged.
3. Rewards
Rewards are there to increase motivation. Motivation comes in two types: intrinsic and extrinsic. So, rewards can be categorized as intrinsic and extrinsic, too. The first ones come from within ourselves, like students' satisfaction when they finish a tough project. It's the personal growth, the feeling when they master a new skill, and the sense of purpose that keeps them coming back for more. On the other hand, extrinsic rewards are all about external recognition. This can be the badges we mentioned above, certificates, or leaderboards. In the context of education, extrinsic rewards are great for pushing students who might not be as naturally motivated. If you manage to balance the two types of rewards, students won't just be after certificates and points but also seek meaningful learning opportunities.
4. Social Competition
Peer challenges and team competitions can transform an ordinary assignment into a fun experience. The element of social competition has always been more appealing to students, after all. For example, seeing their names on leaderboards can boost motivation, push students to do their best, and foster collaboration. They're not just learning content; they're learning to work together, strategize, and reach higher goals. However, where there's competition, there can also be drama. You want students to push themselves but not start arguments or rivalries. Make it a friendly competition. Set up challenges that reward team effort so they can compete together. Keep in mind, though, that some people may find social competition stressful. For them, offer different kinds of challenges. Also, ensure lower-ranked students don't feel left out by designing competitions where everyone can be good, no matter their skill level.
5. Narratives
We humans have loved storytelling since we were drawing on cave walls. This is why narratives are guaranteed to boost engagement in higher education. Stories make things relatable and memorable. Instead of lecturing about theories or concepts, create a narrative for them. Let's say you teach business management. You could teach them about modern challenges businesses face or turn the lesson into an immersive, real-life scenario where students are asked to save a company from falling apart. Why does it work? Because narratives create emotional connections. When students see themselves as part of a story, they care more about the outcome. This element of gamification in higher education is easy to apply. Break your course into quests, as we mentioned above, each with its own storyline. You could even add plot twists based on how well the students perform.
Incorporating Diversity Into Gamification
Adaptive Learning
Every student is different. Some need extra time, while others can speed up the learning process easier. Some prefer videos, while others want to read books. This is why tailoring gamification features to individual learning preferences, paces, and needs is essential. Whether someone's the type who needs structure or one who thrives on flexibility, adaptive gamified systems make sure that everyone stays engaged without feeling left out or behind. How do these systems achieve that? With Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning. These can analyze how a student learns and thus adapt the content accordingly. If a student completes a section easily, the system levels them up. But if they're struggling, it offers them extra help.
Cultural Inclusivity
Gamified content has to recognize that students come from different cultural backgrounds. That means these games' references, characters, and stories shouldn't be stereotypical or irrelevant. Using culturally diverse elements makes the content not only more relatable but also richer. This makes sense, as when students see themselves represented, they feel both included and more invested. Who is going to keep playing or learning when they can't relate to what they see? Inclusive design is about creating games that can be personalized or, at least, culturally neutral. Maybe some games incorporate elements from multiple cultures in a respectful way, or they use universal themes like teamwork.
Accessibility
If you want to use gamification in higher education, you must ensure that everyone can access it. First off, designing accessible gamification features for students with disabilities is nonnegotiable. High-contrast visuals, screen reader compatibility, and keyboard shortcuts should be built in from the start. If it's a game, it needs to be playable by anyone. Adaptive technologies can really help with that, as they include closed captioning, voice controls, and even haptic feedback for those who may have trouble seeing or hearing.
Conclusion
Gamification offers many benefits for student engagement and success, especially when its features are diverse and inclusive. By using points, badges, leaderboards, and personalized challenges, students are more motivated to participate, compete, and collaborate. These features not only make learning fun but also help to foster a deeper sense of achievement and ownership over their progress. The key is to balance the excitement of gamification features with the focus on educational goals. If done right, gamification can reshape higher education, making it more interactive and, of course, inclusive.
