Gamification is a teaching discipline that applies the dynamics of the educational field in order to easily and fluently integrate knowledge, skills, routines, etc.
In recent times, this learning strategy is being implemented in different educational centers due to its game-based methodology to encourage children to absorb different concepts and subjects through enjoyable and fun experiences.
This educational model is really useful because it motivates students to participate in the activities proposed by the teacher and creates a positive atmosphere in the classroom.
There are many schools that are committed to this type of innovative learning and, among them, Raquel Muñoz, an educator aged 2–3 years and head of the educational project of Gamification in the classroom at this nursery school explains how and why Gamification has been become the new learning tool of the 21st century and what are its benefits in times of “new normal”.
What is gamification?
Gamification is a very useful strategy for the early childhood education stage as it allows practical work in the classroom based on the motto: “involve me and I will learn . “ Based on emotions and curiosity to achieve challenges or missions to achieve an individual goal.
Why is it the great learning tools right now?
With gamification , the basic mechanics of the game are used in order to enhance motivation, concentration and effort, as well as other positive values.
What are the benefits in these times of “new normal
The benefits of this methodology is that you keep the students more involved in learning; they themselves can choose which way to go, according to their motivations. We also encourage the implementation of other personal skills. As children evolve in language, we get more participation from them. The fact of reaching some objectives or challenges motivates them to continue moving forward, looking for solutions to achieve the stated purpose.
How is it used in the educational setting after confinement?
This educational tool is used in a transversal way together with other work methodologies, so it adapts very well, being able to address different issues at the same time, therefore it is possible to work in small groups and thus respect the safety distance between children. In addition, all the groups work at the same time, completing knowledge such as the jungle animals game . One group plays to find the pairs of animals, another group colors the wild animal of the week, while another learns to differentiate the real sounds of animals and the last group of this symbolic game becomes an animal thanks to the masks that we have prepared.
How do you apply it in the classroom?
We apply it using the same rules that are used in a game. We form teams thus generating smaller groups where we promote the active participation of the students with resources prepared by the educators to be able to dedicate a more personalized time to certain topics and promoting symbolic play as a more spontaneous and autonomous one.
Every month we present a specific theme adapted to the age of the students so that we can work on countless things from different areas of experience, classifications, series, art, language stimulation, and gross; each day passed, they will get for example a piece of a puzzle. In this way, everyone will strive for the reward. At the end of each month, with all the pieces, we have all managed to assemble the puzzle.
How can it be applied in the family / home environment?
Gamification, as I have mentioned before, is a technique based on the game, so you only have to transform the way in which you propose the activities to the little ones, making them become challenges or missions to get to the “next level”. It is not necessary to reward with a material reward but to consider it as a series of tests to reach the goal. In this way we enhance motivation, effort, concentration, among other skills necessary for daily life.
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