Enhance learning: Top game mechanics for education

Gamification in education refers to a strategy that incorporates game design elements and mechanics into a structured learning environment. Although games have long been used as learning tools, gamification emerged as a distinct pedagogical discipline in the late 20th century.¹ Over the years, researchers and teachers of all age groups have refined the mechanics and technique behind gamification to its present state.

Gamification has been shown to enhance student engagement, motivation and educational outcomes.¹ Gamification works because it applies powerful psychological principles to develop an intrinsic desire to succeed and progress within students.¹ This friendly yet competitive pedagogical structure leads students to take greater ownership of their own educational journey.

Whether you're an elementary school teacher, a community college adjunct professor, a corporate trainer or a museum docent, gamification can help you take your teaching to the next level.

Top game mechanics

Top game mechanics to use in education for enhanced learning include simple tools, such as point systems and rewards for successful answers. In addition, the use of narrative elements and challenges can help drive engagement while detailed feedback will help your students internalize what's being taught.

Points and scoring

Incorporating points and scoring into your game can help drive learning progress by giving your students a goal to work towards. These points don't have to correspond to physical rewards, although allowing your students to redeem their points at the end of the year for low-cost items like pencil toppers or to pool their points for a class pizza party can help drive additional motivation.

Aside from their role as a powerful tool to engage and motivate students, points also work as a real-time feedback system. Students can easily track their right and wrong answers, allowing them to see where they excel and where they could improve.

Badges and achievements

Badges and achievements work similarly to points, although you should bestow these for larger achievements and at greater intervals. The promise of a badge can motivate a child to track their reading, excel on a test or cooperate with their classmates.

For example, the accelerated reader (AR) book test system by Renaissance Learning is used in schools across the nation to help students demonstrate their reading comprehension mastery. These quizzes give students the opportunity to accumulate points which can then be redeemed for badges and certificates.²

You can also incorporate badges and achievement levels with older populations as well. For example, corporate trainers can use digital badges to signal the completion of a particular course of study. These motivational tools can help make learning fulfilling.

Levels and progression

In a similar vein to using badges and achievements to drive student learning, breaking up classroom learning objectives into easily definable levels can give students a sense of accomplishment and provide a clear road map for learning. Plus, these levels help create a sense of mastery in students while also keeping learning objectives at a manageable level.

Leaderboards and competition

The creation of leaderboards in the classroom can help foster a healthy sense of motivation among students. You can create a simple leaderboard on a whiteboard or use a service like ClassDojo,³ which you can use in conjunction with a Smart Board or other screen-based devices. These leaderboards let you easily award and track points for correct answers, high test scores, and good classroom behavior.

Of course, it's important to be mindful of the effects that a leaderboard can have on young students. As always, pay attention to how your students respond to feedback and be prepared to make changes at any time.

Storytelling and narrative

Storytelling is among the oldest and most compelling forms of human communication.⁴ As a teacher, you have the capacity to enthrall your students with immersive stories regardless of the lesson. Although some subjects like English, history, and social studies lend themselves more readily to a narrative structure, you can also incorporate storytelling elements into math and science.

Challenges and quests

Giving your students challenges and quests allows them the opportunity to engage in complex dilemmas that require problem-solving and critical thinking skills. These engaging challenges can help you increase learner engagement, drive progress and have fun at the same time.

Feedback and rewards

A study published in Nature has demonstrated that immediate feedback is crucial for maximizing learning outcomes among students.⁵ Game-based learning naturally incorporates this learning strategy because students learn whether they're wrong or right in real-time and, depending on the game, often have an opportunity to correct their mistakes immediately after they occur.

In addition, games provide the opportunity to offer rewards that motivate learners, such as an extra half-hour of recess for a classroom or a catered lunch for an office.

Application in educational settings

Regardless of age or subject matter, game mechanics has a home in all sorts of educational settings. Whether you're an elementary school teacher using point systems and badges to help motivate students through difficult subjects like math, or a corporate trainer using the competitive elements of teamwork to get the most out of your employees, gamification can help you achieve your desired learning outcomes.

Gamification works seamlessly with learning processes both online and in person. You can use game elements to help young students learn English online, or you can illustrate a scientific process as a museum docent with oversized props.

Keep in mind that while game-based learning is effective for most people, it's important to always consider certain factors about your audience, like their age or learning styles. Individual considerations should always be a priority. Varying your games and providing alternative learning methods can help you ensure all of your students succeed.

Bring gaming mechanics into your classroom

Game mechanics are an indispensable tool in any educator's toolkit. By driving student motivation and engagement, and by presenting opportunities for feedback in real-time, you can transform your classroom's learning outcomes by introducing gamification into your daily learning activities.

There is no one-size-fits-all approach when it comes to educational games. Instead, it's a good idea to experiment with these strategies to find the approach that works best for you and your students.

Elevate your teaching career with an M.S. in the Learning Sciences from Southern Methodist University (SMU) today. Through a dynamic curriculum, you’ll gain hands-on experience with cutting-edge tools and methodologies, empowering you to shape the future of education and training.

SMU's program can give you the skills and inspiration you need to get started. Apply today to start your journey.