Gaming vs Gamification

Video Transcription

Hi. My name is Ashley, and today's lesson is titled Gaming Versus Gamification. In today's lesson, we'll look at the elements of a game, then define gamification. Lastly, we will compare and contrast game and gamification.

What is a game? According to Jesper Juul, a game consists of five main ingredients. The rules give you instructions on how to complete the game. The game has varied quantifiable outcomes, meaning the player will have different results on different occasions when playing the game. And those outcomes will have different values, whether negative or positive. The player is also invested in the outcome and will do whatever possible to win and avoid losing.

Lastly, a game involves effort. The player must put forth effort to influence the outcome. Other features that are involved in a game are advancing to levels, rewards, competition, and immediate feedback.

What is gamification? Gamification involves using a game mindset and mechanics to promote a desired behavior from the user, heighten student engagement, and increase problem solving skills. For example, now students play multiplication games to become better familiar with their times tables. The behavior that parents and teachers want to see from a child is enjoyment in learning. Something that was once a chore to get your child to do their homework is now a breeze.

With that being said, gamification definitely engages and builds motivation. It can be used for anything. It doesn't necessarily have to even be game-like, as long as it uses game theory to build motivation. Gamification can also be applied to many content areas with the use of game techniques. Gamification is easy to apply. Game techniques can be added to a lesson without having to make major changes.

What are the similarities and differences of a game and gamification? Games and gamification both include most of the same components, such as rules, varied and valued outcomes, the player is invested in the outcomes, and effort. They're both designed to be engaging and motivating to its participants.

Games and gamification are also different in some ways. With gamification, the learning environment is transformed. Game elements can be incorporated into the everyday classroom routine. With a specific game, the environment is the same. Also, with gamification, there's usually a collection of tasks that must be completed in order to win, and with each task, the player can collect points. Lastly, the possibility of losing is eliminated with gamification. Unlike with games, you can either win or lose.

What did you learn today? Today, we learned that a game has five components-- rules, varied and valued outcomes, the player is invested in the outcome, and effort. We define gamification as using a game mindset and mechanics to promote a desired behavior from the user, heightened student engagement, and increased problem-solving skills. Then we looked at how games and gamification both involve gaming techniques, but gamification can be used in other areas, and the environment can be transformed.

Now that you know the difference between a game and gamification, consider how you can apply gamification to your classroom. Now it's your turn to apply what you've learned in this video. The Additional Resources section will be super helpful. This section is designed to help you discover useful ways to apply what you've learned here. Each link includes a brief description so you can easily target the resources you want.