How Gamification in Online Education Makes for a Holistic Experience for Students
How Gamification in Online Education Makes for a Holistic Experience for Students
How Gamification in Online Education Makes for a Holistic Experience for Students
There's no escaping the influence of technology these days. It is everywhere around us and has even started to transform the field of education.
Rather than running from new forms of ed-tech or criticizing its limitations, it makes sense to look at how technology can be adopted in the right way. One interesting trend that has also emerged is the concept of “Gamification,” which takes advantage of our innate nature of enjoying rewards based on achieving tasks.
While the field of “tele-education” is certainly not a new one, the rise of high-speed internet and easy video conferencing has made providing online programs much easier. Ever since the Covid-19 pandemic, Colleges and Universities across America and the world are introducing more and more online courses.
Platforms like Zoom and Google Meets, with their ability to screen share presentations, have been key in this as they brought such conventional elements to the world of online education. Interestingly, all these aspects have ended up making the entire experience quite holistic. Let’s see how.
Gamification Can Make Education Less Stressful
One of the key advantages of gamification is that it makes the learning process fun, engaging, and rewarding. Students are now motivated by rewards and recognition such as points, badges, and leaderboards that provide a sense of accomplishment and progress.
Gamification of a course can open opportunities for those who may otherwise feel intimidated by the thought of conventional learning in Universities or Colleges.
When combined with the freedom of online programs, it is likely to lower levels of stress considerably. Coursework and assignments can be reconceptualized as
“Missions” and group partners can be conceptualized as “Allies.” There are numerous ways by which the entire system can be reorganized without changing the content of the course.
Gamification + Online Learning Provides Extra Flexibility
In a similar vein, flexibility is another major benefit that comes with gamification and online learning. It allows education to be accessible to people with different needs. For instance, some people cannot keep up the pace of learning needed with conventional forms of education. Gamification can create an enjoyable structure for them.
Individuals with mental deficiencies often experience this problem, and online education opens a new door for them.
Similarly, online programs are invaluable to those already in the workforce who wish to continue their education. Many of them offer adjustable timings in terms of classes and coursework submissions, which can be a huge boon.
Just look at the field of Social work. People in this line often have extremely tight schedules, and they can benefit tremendously from the flexibility that an online MSW degree provides. It would be impossible for such people to find the time to set aside for conventional MSW (Master of Social Work) programs.
Keuka College is often chosen by students who look for a comprehensive online learning experience. Founded in 1890 and located by the idyllic lake of Keuka in New York, it made it to the U.S. News and World Report as a top-ranked university and offers several placement opportunities.
When these courses are also offered online, people can upskill themselves and are thereby likely to land higher roles that pay more.
Social work is but one example of a field where online programs can be highly beneficial. Degrees in Computer Science, Business, Education, and Psychology are all areas where online learning can occur with little to no difference in terms of course efficacy. True, not everyone may prefer a gamified style of learning, but having the option helps a lot.
Gamification Offers Unique Opportunities to Build Social Skills
Many individuals on the spectrum suffer from poor social skills and have trouble forming relationships with their peers and fellow students. Conventional learning methods can be a nightmare for such individuals who are unable to suddenly work on group projects and make presentations.
Interestingly, games can be a unique remedy in this area. There is a surprisingly diverse range of video games that individuals on the spectrum find a lot of joy and happiness in.
Games like Minecraft have helped a lot of individuals on the spectrum in academics in addition to aiding in the development of social skills. In fact, games-based learning has been so effective that several schools around the world have used Minecraft in classrooms.
Conclusion
Gamification of learning is only going to take on an even more important role in the future. Thus, it can be helpful for institutions to learn how to create an appropriate environment that is compatible with the concept.
Schools, colleges, and other institutions have already recognized the benefits that gamification and online learning providers can provide to students and individuals with special needs and those who are unable to do well in conventional learning environments.
The freedom and enjoyment that students can enjoy with these approaches are truly revolutionary. It wouldn’t be wrong to say that gamification has the potential to make a lot of people excited about education once more.