Power Up Instruction with Gamification

Power Up Instruction with Gamification

Let learning take center stage in a world of adventure

At its most basic level, gamification is the infusion of game-like elements into a teacher’s instructional practice. Elements like competition, challenges, and rewards serve to motivate and engage participants. Gamified classrooms are dynamic, interactive spaces where students become active participants in their learning journey which can aid in the promotion of engagement and motivation, increased participation, and supporting social emotional development. 

For teachers looking to turn a traditional classroom into an immersive hub of learning, gamification might be just the ticket to meaningful, impactful fun. For teachers who are just at the beginning stages of implementing gamified lessons or veteran game facilitators, Breakout EDU is an easy-to-use, affordable option to put into play today. 

Gamification magic

According to a recent report from the National Institute of Health, gamification has the potential to “modernize educational settings and promote engagement and motivation in students in the same ways that games do.” So, how do games actually promote engagement and motivation? 

A growing body of research shows that game elements such as rankings, levels, points, and rewards fuels intrinsic motivation thereby increasing student participation, supporting social and emotional learning, and motivating students to take calculated risks - all things we typically consider evidence of engagement and motivation in a classroom. 

Additionally, digital games in particular have even demonstrated the ability to improve focus in students with ADHD and help students with dyslexia improve spatial and temporal attention. Not to mention today’s students are digital natives inheriting interconnected, global economy based on technology not yet in existence. The need to work together, test limits, and confront problems with an inquiry mindset has never been more important. 

The Gamified Classroom

Gamification is one of many tools in a teacher’s pedagogical toolbox - and it’s easy to get started. Start with basic game elements like role-play, leader boards, and timers. From there, consider differentiating by content complexity, game type, or even create storylines and custom plots students will love. Creativity is the only limit with gamified instruction! 

An oft-cited difficulty with this practice is the time it takes teachers to create games and monitor student progress. Breakout EDU uncomplicates the process and makes it simple for teachers to login in, assign a game, and sit back to watch the magic happen. 

Challenges and Rewards

One of our newest features heightens student motivation and excitement within the Breakout platform by issuing challenges for students to complete. As they complete these challenges, they advance through various levels from “explorer” to coveted “lockstar” status! These challenges include tasks such as completing the Learn & Play modules, customizing their avatar, and completing a Lock of the Day streak. As students conquer each challenge, they earn exciting rewards like special edition backgrounds and avatar customizations. Students also receive instant feedback on their progress while working through digital games which promotes the development of a growth mindset. When they solve a clue, a lock opens; if they are incorrect, they must demonstrate resilience and keep trying.

Choice and adaptability

Breakout EDU allows teachers to select from Kit-based Games, Digital Games, and single lock challenges perfect for warm ups (our Lock of the Day). Teachers can also choose to use any of the predesigned games in the library or design a custom game themselves. Breakout EDU even allows students to create their own games in Adobe Express Game Studio to challenge their peers. With a shared school account, teachers can even collaborate within their professional learning communities to create or share games. 

Collaborative spirit

The crux of all Breakout EDU games regardless of format is collaboration. Students must work together and race the clock to solve the clues, unlock the locks, and breakout! In fact, Breakout EDU games are built upon a foundation of the 21st century skills of communication, collaboration, creativity, and critical thinking. Recently, we’ve added Carousel Games to our digital library. With Carousel games, students are presented with multiple locks with clues and they are challenged to match the correct clue to the appropriate lock. This levels-up the need for critical thinking and reasoning skills while more closely resembling our Kit-based games.  

Progress monitoring

Teachers have 24/7 access to their teacher dashboard to view student progress. They can see how many clues students solve, how long it took them and even award badges. Breakout badges recognize skills not typically highlighted on a report card such as components of social emotional learning (SEL) and 21st Century Skills (4Cs) including leadership, collaboration, critical thinking, citizenship, creativity, communication and innovation. Awarding badges allows adults to view, and students to build, a visual representation of their growth throughout a school year. Badges are a popular instructional tool because they serve as a creative way to motivate and reward student progress towards expected behaviors.

Differentiated instruction

In addition to customizing complexity and variating game format, teachers can also strategically form student groupings to represent a mix of abilities or group students by like ability. In either case, students encourage and support their peers while learning from one another and building a sense of community and shared responsibility. Games can even be assigned to the whole class or to individuals. Recently, Breakout EDU has improved accessibility options on the player console to ensure every student has the tools they need to succeed. With easier access to the immersive reader and a magnifying glass to zoom in on even the smallest of clues, every student has the opportunity to experience success. There is nothing like witnessing students celebrate their wins - together! 

Become a facilitator of learning in your classroom today and witness the power of gamified instruction! You can start your adventure today with a free trial from Breakout EDU and make learning both impactful and enjoyable for students!