Active learning is a learner-center approach in which students are engaging in course material through means such as discussion posts, debates, breaking up into small groups to talk about ideas, and learning based games. Active learning acts in contrast to the traditional view of learning in which teachers lecture to students as this listen and take notes. Two methods of active learning that have become popular means of teaching are game-based learning and gamification. Game-based learning is an educational method that uses games to instruct students about a specific topic or to reach a particular learning outcome. An example of game-based learning would jeopardy. Below I have included a video on how game-based learning can foster the success of student engagement in course material.
In my grade 11 chemistry class, my teacher would do a jeopardy review session of before each test. The game allowed us to collaborate and work with classmates through problem solving questions. Additionally, playing games like jeopardy increases learner engagement, while at the same time improving critical thinking skills. On the other hand, gamification uses aspects of game like elements but in a non-game context. For instance, an example of gamification would be a class point system. This class wide motivation system allows students to work together and allows them to earn points, which later leads to a class prize, for their good behaviour. Gamification motivates students to actively engage in the material and creates an opportunity for positive reinforcement, which significantly improves the likelihood of the positive behaviour to occur again.
References:
Moodley, M., Mandy Moodley / About Author More posts by Mandy Moodley, & Moodley, M. posts by M. (2020, June 1). Gamification & Game-Based Learning. Game2Change. Retrieved November 3, 2021, from http://www.game2change.co.za/gamification-game-based-learning/.
Using game-based learning in the classroom to … – youtube. (n.d.). Retrieved November 3, 2021, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0WlP8NNo4CU.