UNIT II: �Gamification on Learning �

Prepared by

Er. Binod Kumar Rajbhar

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www.notedinsights.com

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2.1 Concept of Gamification in Education

• Gamification is currently one of the largest trends in education.
• The concept of using game-like mechanisms to encourage learning has proven to be extremely effective.
• As a result, it is now widely used in educational settings ranging from primary school classrooms to business training modules.
• In terms of education, gamification refers to the use of these mechanics to improve learning outcomes.
• A good gamification example in education is the language learning platform Duolingo, which uses competitive leagues, experience points, and other game-like mechanics to help its users learn new languages.

Five benefits of gamification in education�

2.1 Higher levels of engagement

• One of the largest benefits of gamification in the classroom is its ability to engage students more effectively than traditional coursework.
• Gamified e-learning modules promote engagement by creating challenges and tracking users’ progress as they learn.
• As students master learning materials, they receive recognition for their achievements and gradually progress to more challenging lessons.

2.2 Improved retention

• Gamified learning also helps students retain more of what they learn.
• Studies of employees gaining skills with e-learning modules show that gamification increases knowledge retention by approximately 40 percent.
• As a result, gamification is an extremely effective strategy for ensuring that students remember what they learn well after the end of their courses.

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2.3 Connects learning to the real world

• In addition to making learning more fun, gamification in education is also an excellent way to connect lessons to real-world problems and applications.
• The rewards and challenges of gamified learning create a risk-free environment in which students can learn how to apply the knowledge or skills they’re gaining.
• When called upon to use these skills in real life, students will better understand how they can apply them successfully.

2.4 Provides instant feedback and reinforcement

• When students learn through game-like interactive play, they receive feedback on their answers instantly.
• This allows wrong answers to be corrected quickly, while right answers are rewarded with positive reinforcement.
• With gamified learning, students never have to wait to find out how well they’re doing or how they can improve.

2.5 Gets students hooked on learning

• A final but extremely important benefit of gamification in education is the fact that it can make learning an almost addictive experience.
• Game mechanics such as rewards and competition trigger dopamine release in the brain, making the learning process far more enjoyable.
• Because of this, students have the opportunity to become hooked on learning and mastering new skills.

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2.2 Concept of story telling

• Storytelling is the vivid description of ideas, beliefs, personal experiences, and life- lessons through stories or narratives that evoke powerful emotions and insights.
• Storytelling is the interactive art of using words and actions to reveal the elements and images of a story while encouraging the listener’s imagination.

Benefits of using storytelling in the classroom

• Promote a feeling of well-being and relaxation
• Increase children's willingness to communicate thoughts and feelings
• Encourage active participation
• Increase verbal proficiency
• Encourage use of imagination and creativity
• Encourage cooperation between students
• Enhance listening skills

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Game Based Learning Platforms�

• Game based learning platforms are designed to increase learner engagement and productivity by incorporating gaming elements into the training strategy.
• We’ve curated a list of game based learning platforms below that highlights their key features such as game elements and templates.

Use of Mobile gaming tools for learning

1. EdApp

• EdApp is a game based learning platform that integrates different engagement elements to help you increase course completion rates while ensuring an effective learning experience for your learners.

Highlights:

• Course creation service
• Micro-learning strategy
• Gamification & leaderboards
• Built-in authoring tool that includes 50+ intuitively designed interactive templates, such as multiple-choice, in-app gamification, conceptual formats, surveys, etc.
• Custom Achievements
• Rapid Refresh quizzes
• Mobile-first approach

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2. Kahoot�

• As an online quiz maker and game based learning platform, Kahoot! uses visually appealing gamification elements to maximize engagement and ensure higher completion rates among learners.
• Your learners can access these interactive games and quizzes, which are uniquely called “Kahoots”, via a web browser or a mobile app.

• The best part is that they can be presented on a shared screen and answered by a group of “players” all at the same time through any video conferencing platform.
• Alternatively, you can set Kahoots as a self-paced challenge to be completed by each team member asynchronously.
• This platform also provides trainers with tips on how to best provide game based learning.
• Highlights:

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• Gamified quizzes
• Live Kahoots
• Asynchronous kahoots
• Multiple game templates

3. Gametize�

• Gametize is an enterprise-grade game based learning platform and LMS solution that enables organizations to enhance their employees’ training experiences, whether they are going through onboarding or upskilling programs.
• With this tool, you can easily design your own gamified content by choosing from a vast library of game templates, which are divided into project categories like employee engagement, learning and development, talent acquisition, and many more.

• Similar to Kahoot, you can also boost training engagement and completion rates using flashcards, quizzes, and interactive challenges.
• Similar with other gamification software, Gametize uses leaderboards, badges, and rewards to drive motivation and foster healthy competition within teams.
• Other advantages of this tool include results tracking and analytics, player moderation, and team collaboration.
• Highlights:
• Game template library
• Leaderboards
• Badges
• Rewards
• Results tracking

4. Centrical�

• Centrical is a powerful gamification training software that allows you to design gamified micro-learning content.
• With its intuitive user interface, you’ll be able to create polished game-based learning materials without needing advanced technical design skills.
• On the platform, you can customize learning challenges, set prize-winning competitions, or design quest-based game narratives to help your employees adopt the right behaviors, practice skills in a risk-free virtual environment, and improve the overall knowledge and skills they need to succeed.

• Centrical continuously rolls out fun training games for employees, challenges, and raffles so that learners can sustain excitement throughout their entire training process.
• Another great thing about this platform is that it provides a real-time performance management feature, which learners can use to access their performance data and training feedback.
• Highlights:
• Gamified micro-learning
• Quest-based game narratives
• Rewards
• Real-time performance management

5. Archy Learning�

• Archy Learning is an all-in-one gamification training software and eLearning platform that you can use to host  global classroom, perfect for those who are training remote teams across the globe.
• With its intuitive user interface, you can easily copy and paste Youtube links or upload classroom notes, PDFs, and other digital resources that your learners will need to complete their training.  

• You can even design learning paths by incorporating custom course quizzes, mixed media exams, homework, interactive video modules, and personalized kahoot like games.
• Course certificates are also available in this interactive site for learning to motivate learners to complete their lessons. T
• he tool’s school tracking and head office features are designed to give you insight into each of your learners’ course progress and assessment results.
• Highlights:
• Global classroom
• Custom course quizzes and games
• Interactive video modules
• School tracking

7. Raptivity�

• Raptivity is an interactive eLearning solution that you can use to design engaging and visually stimulating online education games and learning materials.
• The tool features a growing library of educational web games and pre-made responsive interactions that include parallax displays, panning slides, and 360 interactions.

• Even with no design expertise, anyone can customize interactive quizzes, games, simulations, flashcards, and brainteasers through the tool’s user-friendly interface.
• Whether you’re a teacher or an instructional designer, you can maximize the tool’s many capabilities to keep your learners engaged and motivated throughout their learning journey.
• But it is important to note that it has a few feature limitations and you might need to download add-ons to design a well-rounded eLearning course.

Highlights:

• Interactive displays
• Quizzes
• Games

8. ProProfs�

• ProProfs LMS is an employee training software that easily combines online and offline training, providing blended learning solution.
• This LMS enables training managers to create new educational content made from scratch, or, existing courses from its online training course library.
• It features gaming software examples which include brain games, learning paths, and quizzes.

• Aside from increasing engagement, it allows learners to have control of what, when, and how they want to learn.
• For training managers, this reduces time in conducting instructor-led learning sessions.
• Instead, employees are given the opportunity to learn at their own pace while still fostering collaborative learning through virtual learning games and classrooms.
• Highlights:
• Gamification elements
• Premium course library
• Easy online course authoring
• Course completion certificates
• Collaborative learning through virtual classroom

Importance of gamification in learning

1.  Makes learning fun and interactive

• Regardless of your audience or subject matter, the gamification of learning can help you to create exciting, educational, and entertaining content.
• It’s not meant to turn work into a game, but it does play on the psychology that drives human engagement.

2. Creates an addiction to learning

• If you had to define the single most important aim of learning, it must surely be to instill new knowledge in your learners. But how useful is that knowledge if it can’t be retained?
• Another, rather surprising, benefit of gamification in learning is the natural high it can give us, and the impact that ‘high’ has on the retention of knowledge.
• When our brain wants to reward us, it releases dopamine into our bodies, so when we win a game or achieve something important to us, we feel good.

3.  Gives learners the opportunity to see real-world applications

• The third benefit of gamification is all about getting your hands ‘dirty’.
• Learning on the job can be a very effective way of cementing skills by applying them to practical scenarios.
• The gamification of learning allows learners to see the real-world applications and benefits of the subject matter.
• They are able to get a first-hand look at how their choices within the game result in consequences or rewards.

4. Offers real-time feedback

• Imagine if we only took stock of how well we are doing in life once a year.
• Work, relationships, in fact, anything we did regularly, might suffer from a lack of self-review.
• The gamification of learning allows employees to work towards real-time, measurable, meaningful targets, and get upper-level feedback as those targets are achieved.

5.  Gamification enhances the learning experience

• The truth is that fitting all the top benefits of Gamification into a ‘Top 5’ list is impossible, so, to use a word often associated with games, we’re going to ‘cheat’ and give you a list within a list.
• Here are five more benefits of gamification in learning.

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• More engagement with content
• Gamification in e-learning offers the opportunity for learners to engage with content in an effective, informal learning environment.
• If learners get excited about learning, they are more likely to retain information.
• More fun, efficient learning
• Gamification makes learning fun and so learners are far more likely to engage with an enjoyable learning program than a boring one.
• Competition = motivation
• Many people are motivated by competition.
• Gamification provides opportunities for competition with others for high scores, rewards and leader-board rankings.
• More cooperation
• Learners in gamified learning programs can work towards group goals by cooperating with a team within a competitive environment.
• This encourages the sharing of ideas, debate, critical thinking and strategic thought processes.

Benefits of gamification learning

• Functional across different platforms
• Allows for easy collection of consumer data
• Affordable
• Provides instant reinforcement and feedback
• Improves adoption and usage of CRM (customer relationship management)
• Improved focus on KPIs (key performance indicators)
• Supports cognitive development
• Makes the learning process a personal experience
• It’s fun

Explain the features of Learning Management System(LMS) �

What is an LMS?

• “A learning management system (LMS for short) is a software application that is used to administer, track, report, and deliver training.”
• In simple terms, an LMS allows you to create, deliver and report on training courses and programs.
• There are hundreds of LMSs to choose from, each offering different features and capabilities. And with so many options, businesses can find the process of selecting an LMS that will meet their specific needs a real challenge.

Features of Learning Management System(LMS)

1.Simple, Clear User Interface

• The most important feature of any Learning Management System is a simple, functional User Interface (UI).
• The success of any digital learning platform depends on how well it can engage learners.
• If the UI is clunky, difficult to navigate, or simply confusing, it will hinder adoption and enthusiasm.

2. Streamlined Course Management

• The core purpose of any LMS is to provide a hub for building and running courses.
• Course management should be well-optimized and easy to navigate.
• If an instructor has to spend ten minutes going through nested menus just to add a new student to their course, the system needs more work.

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3. Monitoring And Analytics

• No LMS platform is complete without effective monitoring and analytics tools.
• These features allow instructors to track learners’ progress and identify ways to improve courses.
• Evaluation tools can include reflection from course designers or analysis of performance metrics from the entire course

4. Options For Task Automation

• Automation is a big help for instructors, especially when they’re managing courses with dozens of trainees enrolled.
• The best LMS platforms have options for task automation built in to simplify course management and reduce instructors’ workloads.
• This is often done using AI and machine learning tools.
• For example, with a large class size, it may take instructors a long time to notice a student is falling behind.
• Machine learning algorithms can autonomously recognize performance fluctuations that indicate a student is in need of help.

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5. Compliant With Privacy And Security Regulations

• Software regulations are vital to ensure that apps respect everyone’s privacy and don’t endanger online security.
• A reputable LMS will be compliant with relevant privacy and security regulations, such as GDPR in Europe or IS0 27001 standards.
• The LMS developer should be able to provide documentation that proves they have a certain certification or are verified compliant with a certain regulation.

6. Gamification Features

• Gamification has steadily gained popularity over the past several years in schools and corporate settings alike.
• Borrowing features from video games and applying them to education has proven extremely effective in engaging students and boosting enthusiasm.
• Today’s top LMS platforms will include gamification features—or options to integrate with popular gamification platforms.

7. Easy Integration With Other Apps

• Finally, every good LMS should be able to work well with other apps, particularly those commonly used in education.
• A wide array of well-functioning app integrations shows that an LMS developer took the time to understand instructors’ needs.
• In addition to support for related apps, LMS platforms should offer support for many different file formats students and instructors might want to use, like Word documents, slide presentations, spreadsheets, PDFs, and more.

2.4 Application of MIT(Massachusetts Institute of Technology) Apps Inventor for gaming

• MIT App Inventor is an intuitive, visual programming environment that allows everyone even children to build fully functional apps for smartphones and tablets.
• Those new to MIT App Inventor can have a simple first app up and running in less than 30 minutes.
• And what's more, our blocks-based tool facilitates the creation of complex, high-impact apps in significantly less time than traditional programming environments.
• The MIT App Inventor project seeks to democratize software development by empowering all people, especially young people, to move from technology consumption to technology creation.

• App Inventor is an online tool, meaning you can create apps for phones or tablets right in your web browser.
• This website offers all the support you'll need to design apps:

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Scratch Blocks�

• Scratch Blocks is a new development project for the next generation of graphical programming blocks, based on a collaboration between Google and MIT’s Scratch Team — building on Google’s Blockly technology and informed by the Scratch Team’s expertise in developing creative learning tools for young people.
• Scratch Blocks will provide a framework for building programming blocks in both vertical (text-based) and horizontal (icon-based) formats. You can access the code (currently as a developer-preview) and documentation.
• This first release includes code for Scratch’s Horizontal Grammar.

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