10 Strategies To Make Learning Feel More Like A Game Than a Boring Chore.

There is no doubt that when students enjoy learning, then they learn. Classes and teachers need to be challenging, fun, and motivating for the students rather than merely being based upon completing a minimum amount of work in the most quiet and effective way possible. Too often students are forced to sit quietly and follow boring instructions and ineffective methodology that have little to no effect on the amount they learn or achieve.

In this blog article, we will look at 10 strategies that will help not only encourage students to want to learn but will create greater results.

1. Create Student Designers

To immerse students in gamification, start by allowing them to create the narrative of their class. By involving students in the class design, students can express creativity while creating a learning space in which they can excel.

2. Allow Second Chances

And third. And fourth. Like in games, students should be allowed second chances when they fail. Students are then able to try, learn from mistakes, and succeed, eliminating the pressure and stigma of failure.

3. Promote Collaborative Feedback

Feedback is essential in any game or classroom. Group students into learning ‘teams,’ where they can work together on assignments, provide feedback, and receive support from the instructor as needed. Games encourage teamwork. and the teammates often give as much feedback as the coach.

4. Use Levels & Progress Bars

Literally.

Instead of using grades and percentages, teachers can issue progress bars that gauge student progress. When assignments, tests, or projects are completed, a certain amount of points can be added to a student’s progress bar, bringing them closer to reaching the next level.

5. Introduce Challenges

Motivate students to advance their learning through self-directed instruction by allowing them to add epic elements to work and projects. Introduce a project as a quest or mission that fits within the class narrative. This will draw students into learning in a new, fun, and exciting way.

6. Emphasize Student Power & Choice

Gamified classrooms allow students to choose different paths in learning the curriculum. This choice allows students to creatively foster and apply their knowledge while solidifying a sense of pride and ownership in their work.

7. Use Badges & Rewards

Badges and rewards provide a tangible symbol of achievement that is effective in celebrating student accomplishments, incentivizing students to continue raising their efforts, and raising student confidence.

8. Integrate Class-Wide Achievements

Teachers can implement class-wide reward systems, where everyone can celebrate individual and collaborative accomplishments. Rewards can be issued to the class when students reach certain goals. This builds student camaraderie, support, and a collaborative desire to succeed.

9. Use Smart Technology

The 21st-century learner is already accustomed to using technology daily. Classroom management systems ClassRealm, ClassDojo, and Gamestar Mechanic are good tools that can help teachers enhance the gamified experience.

10. Emphasize Skills Mastery

The emphasis of gamification is to provide students with a fluid environment of self-directed learning. Emphasize the use of critical thinking, problem-solving, collaboration, creativity, and application.