Game-Based Learning and Gamification: learning with video games
The importance of the game in the learning process is already known, but today, more than ever, we discuss the enormous contribution that concepts such as gamification and game-based learning can give to education and company training courses.
What is Gamification?
Gamification is nothing more than the application of game mechanics in non-gaming contexts.
Let’s take a practical example: a teacher wants to propose to his students a method of edutainment that motivates them more in the study of geography. In order to do that, he can borrow the typical elements of the game and use them to stimulate his class of students during the learning process: all he has to do is divide a task into levels, use points instead of marks, assign badges and prizes, and that’s it.
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In this way, carrying out a study project, learning a subject or acquiring a behavior — but also a new company procedure — will be encouraged in a fun and innovative way.
Differences between Gamification and Game-Based Learning
Because many confuse gamification with game-based learning, it should be noted that the two concepts are not the same thing, even though they share some characteristics,.
In fact, while gamification uses game levels, prizes and challenges as elements to encourage the learning process, game-based learning exploits video games as an integral part of teaching.
The great advantage of using video games — during a lesson or for the training of employees — derives from the greater involvement that this innovative method can arouse.
In addition to making the learning process of concepts and ideas more exciting, game-based learning promotes critical thinking, collaboration and enhances the ability to make decisions autonomously.
2 practical examples: Classcraft and MinecraftEdu
An example of gamification is undoubtedly Classcraft, created on the model of the famous World of Warcraft video game. Classcraft transforms the school into a role-playing game where the lessons become real fantasy adventures that foster collaboration, improve engagement and increase participation.
If a student wants his character — magician, warrior or curator — to level up and acquire new powers, what he has to do is get good marks, help his schoolmates, behave well in class and attend school. Here — in a few simple steps — the teacher can build a positive learning environment with increasingly enthusiastic and motivated students!
Turning to game-based learning, an example is offered by the multi-platform video game MinecraftEdu: the educational version of the famous simulation game in which users can create and explore ancient worlds and civilizations in 3D.
This video game — developed by Joel Levin, a professor of computer science in New York, and played by students of over a thousand American schools — allows students to strengthen the learning of subjects such as history. How? After learning the theoretical concepts, each student can test himself with the digital reconstruction of ancient civilizations — such as the Roman one — putting into practice what they learned during class lessons.
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