Gamification 101

Children, and adults for that matter, have never been more engaged by games than they are now. Why is that though? What draws people so deeply into games? What brings them back and what drives them to keep trying to improve in the face of great adversity? Can you harness the power of the psychology behind game creation and turn your class into something all students will beg to be in? In an education system designed where students start with 100% and lose as they go, gamification flips this concept onto its head. Focusing on the individual’s progression while increasing both intrinsic and extrinsic motivation exponentially, this pedagogy has the power to bring education into the modern era. Can anyone do this? I am here to tell you that you can and it is easier than you think! I have successfully turned my Grade 8 science and social courses into a live action role playing game. Students compete against the teacher, each other, other teams and other classes in an effort to level up and progress while using their classroom knowledge to solve problems in real and practical ways! Sounds intimidating but it is not! You will walk out of this session inspired and driven to make changes to your teaching, as quickly the next day you enter your classroom. Will you press start?