Learning What is Gamification

Gamification is used to engage and motivate students of all ages in particular subject areas. I've always known and used certain games outside of classes as a younger student; since I wasn't so great in math or science computer games were pretty popular in my learning process. I see where today it can be so important to students who may either be struggling in a subject or just don't have any interest in what they're learning in a class. Using gamification is a great way to get student interested in learning and gives students a sense of competition to always challenge themselves. 7 Things You Should Know About Gamification gives several good points about how gamification works in academic environments. Stating that "Gamification offers instructors numerous creative opportunities to enliven their instruction with contests, leader boards, or badges that give students opportunities for recognition and a positive attitude toward their work." The article  presents some interesting  reasons why they work so well for some students and other students may struggle even more with the addition of gamification into a classroom. Their concern is that gamification would makes learning a subject more complex than it already is, and if a student is already struggling in a classroom it may completely turn them off. I think that teachers should be alert in the types of games they would be using for a classroom. I like the idea of breaking students into teams and having them work and collaborate in gaining points or earn badges. This creates an environment where students are driven to work and get a sense of accomplishment when end up in a new level of gaming. It also works for shy students since it would bring them out of their shell and give them a chance to participate in a group environment.

One example of  a style of gaming is a strategy game where players  have the ability for decision making in order to determine the outcome of what they want to achieve with a particular game. What strategy games work on is getting the player to think internally of their decisions as well as creating this awareness of what and how they should play the game as they go along. For example a simulation game is a great way to get players to think about their decisions and process it in a similar manner as if it were a real world situation. Most of the simulation strategic games are meant to reflect real-world consequences. One those games would be 3rd World Farmer which relates to world hunger and poverty where a player works in the decision making of sanitation, education, infrastructure and where the player makes choices of the crops, livestock, and tools needed or used for a farm. This game is fairly easy to follow even with or without instructions although I would start students out by giving them an example of how I played my game and also show them how it can be used. This game is a great example of creating a sense of awareness in the player bases on the type of situations they encounter throughout the game and the measures they have to take to achieve their goals. I think simulation games are great to bring into a classroom since it provides a way for students and teachers to discuss on important subject matter. I think this type of game will get students to be engaged in their learning experience. I would create an assignment where they would play the game several times and get them to discuss the type of crops they used, animals, and housing in the farm. It gets them to build their thinking and decision making skills as well as practice their writing skills when given an assignment such as this. I can see them building their vocabulary as well by learning what's on the Farm such as "Pig", "Chickens", and Crops such as "corn" etc. I think this a great way to get them interested in learning the language and to discuss their experiences playing the game.