I chose the article about gamification:
http://www.educause.edu/library/resources/7-things-you-should-know-about-gamification
The term itself is new to me but the main concept is well-known probably to most of us. Although, I think it’s still an approach that is more popular nowadays than let’s say a generation ago. I think that implementing games into teaching is a great idea – I definitely believe that the Polish education system does not put enough emphasis on playfulness and giving students the right to learn in different ways than just by heart, which in turn kills their creativity and their out of the box thinking.
Introducing the gaming element into education by organizing competitions, contests, and recognition schemes is a great way to mobilize students to learn and to make an extra effort. My friend, who attended primary school in the British education system for example, had a yearly “Prize Day” held after the end of the examination session. It was a kind of a talent show connected with a recognition day, where students who were first, second and third in class in given subjects were called up to the stage and given a symbolic prize in the form of books usually by the school’s headmaster in front of all other students and their parents. They had their photo taken and received a certificate with the listed subjects they excelled in. I am sure that being recognized in this way gives motivation to work as hard the next year.
What do you think about this concept? Do you think that we have enough gamification in our schools? Do you know some other interesting examples?
1. What do you think about this concept?
ReplyDeleteI think that gamification is a great idea, to reach out to young people and get them "trick" to learn on the school. The world has changed and education also needs to move forward. Of course it has its pros and cons, but I think that in overall it can bring success.
2. Do you think that we have enough gamification in our schools?
I think we do not have at all. Maybe at the primary and pre-schools gamification mechanisms are slowly introduced, but seconary and high schools do not have it at all.
3. Do you know some other interesting examples?
Yes, PBL - we all know it :)
Polish education system is a deep topic and there a re much more rudimentary problems that the lack of gamification. Gamification itself is a good idea and can help understand certain topics but not all of them. A proper balance mus be kept not to allow situation that all would be drag into gamification pattern.
ReplyDeleteBack to the Polish education system. It’s concentrated on itself rather than on students. What is most important for the vast majority of teachers is to fulfil their centrally driven programme losing sight of the true important issues – their students’ knowledge improvements and growth.
Some critics dismiss gamification as a buzzword, and note that many of its techniques have been in place for a long time. Other critiques include:
ReplyDeleteGamification elements are already present in everyday activities such as happy hours, loyalty programs.
For business purposes, gamification is invalid, faddish, exploitative, an oversimplification, or a renaming of existing practices.
Adding to and preying upon the confusion among business decision makers about the meaningful distinctions between games, videogames, social games, gamification, game mechanics, etc.
The negative consequences of making simple game-like consumer interactions an end in themselves, rather than designing either high quality games or full product designs.
Gamification sometimes misses elements such as storytelling and experiences which are central to what make games effective, or that gamification has mistaken the addition of points for the application of genuine game mechanics.
Excluding these defects can be introduced into schools.
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ReplyDelete
ReplyDeletePolish education is old and in my opinion in Polish schools they want to from use only to remember some schema they don't learn us thinking and understood problems. We learn many things which we don't need and we never use in real life. So in my opinion use games to learn is good idea learn by fun :)