Games and Gamification: Activating Student Learning Through Play √ §

How can playing games and gamifying learning activities enhance student motivation and learning? Gamification techniques can motivate students and enhance retention while creating an engaging classroom experience. Games offer students immediate feedback, often in the moment, as they build their critical thinking skills, so they can recognize their developing skills, experience a sense of accomplishment, and gain motivation for additional learning. Further, when created as an immersive experience, gamification creates opportunities for deeply examining perspectives, thinking and contributing in the moment, and delving into complex challenges. In this session, we’ll explore the benefits of using games and gamifying activities with examples from Steven McAlpine (INDS) and Kerri Evans (SOWK).