IT WORKED: Gamification in the Classroom

Summary

In this video, Jessica Dollaz explores how to gamify your classroom to boost student engagement and ownership. By incorporating video game elements like badges, recognition walls, and feedback systems, students become more involved in their learning. The process begins simply, using backward design to align badges with learning goals. Students not only earn badges but can also create them, fostering a sense of responsibility. This gamification approach can be adapted to meet students' needs, offering rewards for their progress toward mastering standards. The video offers practical insights for any educator looking to make learning more interactive and motivating.

Takeaways

• 😀 Gamification in the classroom involves integrating video game elements to enhance student engagement and learning.
• 😀 Gamification helps students become more engaged in their learning process.
• 😀 Students are encouraged to take ownership of their work and progress through the gamification system.
• 😀 Providing voice and choice allows students to select which badge they want to aim for and how long to take in achieving it.
• 😀 Recognition plays a vital role by rewarding students with badges and displaying their achievements on a leadership board.
• 😀 Regular feedback is crucial for tracking student progress, and platforms can provide instant feedback.
• 😀 In the classroom, badges are used for different subjects, starting with math, and students also help create these badges.
• 😀 To gamify your classroom, it's recommended to start simple, focusing on one subject initially (e.g., math).
• 😀 Using backwards design, start with the end goal and develop the badge criteria that students need to meet to achieve it.
• 😀 Google Sheets can be used to outline the criteria for earning badges, making it transparent and accessible for students.
• 😀 The system is flexible, allowing for adjustments in rigor based on the needs of students, and it rewards growth toward mastery of standards.

Q & A

What is gamification in the classroom?

Gamification in the classroom is the process of incorporating video game elements and concepts into the learning environment to enhance student engagement and motivation.

What are the five key benefits of gamification according to Jessica Dollaz?

The five key benefits are: 1) Increased student engagement, 2) Students take more ownership of their work, 3) Students have voice and choice in their learning, 4) Recognition of students' hard work, 5) Providing instant feedback to students.

How does gamification provide students with ownership of their learning?

Students are allowed to choose which badges they want to earn and can take as much time as needed to achieve those badges, giving them more control over their learning progress.

What role does recognition play in gamification?

Recognition in gamification is important because it motivates students by showcasing their hard work on a leadership board and rewarding them with badges, which fosters a sense of accomplishment.

How does Jessica Dollaz use badges in her classroom?

Badges are used to recognize students' achievements in specific areas like math. Initially, Jessica created the badges, but over time, students were empowered to design their own badges, adding an element of student control.

How can teachers start implementing gamification in their classrooms?

Teachers can start simple by introducing badges in one subject, such as math, and gradually expand. It's important to focus on backwards design, starting with the end goal and creating badges based on the criteria required for mastery.

What is backwards design, and how does it relate to gamification?

Backwards design involves planning the learning objectives first and then creating the corresponding badges and criteria. This approach ensures that students understand what they need to achieve and what the end goal looks like.

How does the use of a Google sheet help in the gamification process?

The Google sheet outlines the criteria for each badge, making it accessible to students through the learning management system (LMS), so they can track their progress and understand what is required to earn each badge.

Can the gamification system be adjusted for different student needs?

Yes, the gamification system can be tailored to the varying needs of students by adjusting the rigor of the badges and the learning activities based on students' progress and mastery.

What types of rewards are given to students in this gamification system?

Students are rewarded with either digital badges or physical stickers, which are displayed on the recognition board, acknowledging their achievements.