10 Strategies To Make Learning Feel More Like A Game

1. Create Student Designers

To immerse students in gamification, start by allowing them to create the narrative of their class. By
involving students in the class design, students can express creativity while creating a learning space in
which they can excel.

2. Allow Second Chances

And third. And fourth. Like in games, students should be allowed second chances when they fail.
Students are then able to try, learn from mistakes, and succeed, eliminating the pressure and stigma of
failure.

3. Promote Collaborative Feedback

Feedback is essential in any game or classroom. Group students into learning ‘teams,’ where they can
work together on assignments, provide feedback, and receive support from the instructor as needed.
Games encourage teamwork. and the teammates often give as much feedback as the coach.

4. Use Levels & Progress Bars

Literally.

Instead of using grades and percentages, teachers can issue progress bars that gauge student progress.
When assignments, tests, or projects are completed, a certain amount of points can be added to a
student’s progress bar, bringing them closer to reaching the next level.

Kids love seeing visible progress. In fact, we all do.

5. Introduce Challenges

Motivate students to advance their learning through self-directed instruction by allowing them to add
epic elements to work and projects. Introduce a project as a quest or mission that fits within the class
narrative. This will draw students in to learning in a new, fun, and exciting way.

6. Emphasize Student Power & Choice

Gamified classrooms allow students to choose different paths in learning the curriculum. This choice
allows students to creatively foster and apply their knowledge while solidifying a sense of pride and
ownership in their work.

7. Use Badges & Rewards

Badges and rewards provide a tangible symbol of achievement that is effective in celebrating student
accomplishments, incentivizing students to continue raising their efforts, and raising student
confidence.

8. Integrate Class-Wide Achievements

Teachers can implement class-wide reward systems, where everyone can celebrate individual and
collaborative accomplishments. Rewards can be issued to the class when students reach certain goals.
This builds student camaraderie, support, and a collaborative desire to succeed.

9. Use Smart Technology

The 21st-century learner is already accustomed to using technology daily. Classroom management
systems ClassRealm, ClassDojo, and Gamestar Mechanic are good tools that can help teachers enhance
the gamified experience.

10. Emphasize Skills Mastery

The emphasis of gamification is to provide students with a fluid environment of self-directed learning.
Emphasize the use of critical thinking, problem solving, collaboration, creativity, and application.