Our second graders experienced a gamification activity in Math class today. They were just finishing a math unit on double digit subtraction problems. What better way to gauge their level of learning than to excite them in an awesome learning opportunity.
You might be thinking... What is gamification?
The gamification of learning is an educational approach to motivate students to learn by using game design and game elements in learning environments. The goal is to maximize enjoyment and engagement through capturing the interest of learners and inspiring them to continue learning.
I attended the annual ITEC Conference in Des. Moines this past October and went to a few sessions on gamification - specifically GooseChase. I instantly got intrigued and my mind started racing on the potential impact this could bring to the level of engagement and learning within our classrooms.
During a recent staff development day, I offered a Technology Boot Camp. One of my focus areas was introducing the concept of gamification in education. We structure our professional development days as "personalized PD" so our teachers can freely migrate to areas of collaboration where their unit design and/or redesign takes them.
I was excited to get some "explorers" in my gamification session. Teachers loved it! They immediately began thinking of how they could use it within their classroom environments.
Mr. Boeckholt, one of our 2nd grade teachers, not only "thought" about how he could use it but actually integrated the gamification concept into his Math lesson!
It was absolutely amazing to see the students interacting and collaborating on the math missions Mr. Boeckholt created in the GooseChase activitiy.
I just had to bottle some of the greatness as it was taking place.
Then I took a few minutes and reflected on the learning that I witnessed. I love the simplicity of Adobe Spark Video to capture moments in time!
Gamification has tremendous potential in educational spaces. I'm confident this journey has just begun at PAC!
Thanks Mr. Boeckholdt and our 2nd grade students for allowing me to be a part of this opportunity!