Last updated on 2024年6月7日

What are the challenges and risks of gamification in education?

由人工智能和领英社区提供技术支持

Gamification is the use of game elements, such as points, badges, levels, and feedback, to enhance learning and motivation in educational settings. It can be applied to various subjects, formats, and audiences, and has been shown to have positive effects on engagement, retention, and performance. However, gamification is not a magic bullet that can solve all the challenges and risks of education. In this article, we will explore some of the potential pitfalls and drawbacks of gamifying learning, and how to avoid or minimize them.

此文章中的业界达人

由社区从 5 条内容中精选。了解更多

1 Ethical issues

Gamification can raise ethical issues, such as manipulation, coercion, exploitation, and privacy. For example, gamification can be used to influence learners' behavior, choices, and emotions, without their full consent or awareness. It can also create incentives for cheating, gaming the system, or competing unfairly. Moreover, gamification can collect and use personal data, such as progress, preferences, and achievements, without proper protection or transparency. Therefore, gamification should be designed and implemented with respect for learners' autonomy, dignity, and rights.

添加您的观点

Sridevi Nair

Academic researcher and Faculty
举报内容
I think the biggest challenge is ensuring that the game elements do not take away from the objective of learning. The game elements needs to enhance the original instructional content.

已翻译

赞
Jeffrey Jones

Digital Learning Specialist at Oregon Health and Science University
举报内容
These concerns are not unique to gamified education. In other words, coercion, manipulation, privacy violations, etc. can occur in a host of ways that have nothing to do with gamification. So, of course, ethically-minded gameful design will promote autonomy and choice (e.g., multiple learning paths as in Universal Design for Learning) and be transparent around learning objectives, course goals, and data collection.

已翻译

赞

2 Pedagogical issues

Gamification can also pose pedagogical issues, such as alignment, relevance, and quality. For example, gamification can be misaligned with the learning objectives, outcomes, and assessments, leading to confusion, distraction, or frustration. It can also be irrelevant or inappropriate for the content, context, or culture of the learning environment, resulting in boredom, resistance, or offense. Furthermore, gamification can compromise the quality of the learning process, content, and feedback, by focusing on superficial or extrinsic rewards, rather than on meaningful or intrinsic learning. Therefore, gamification should be integrated and aligned with the pedagogical design and principles of the learning experience.

添加您的观点

Jeffrey Jones

Digital Learning Specialist at Oregon Health and Science University
举报内容
While this is a concern for any pedagogical approach, borrowing elements from compelling games might potentially be a safeguard against poor course design. For example, clear objectives, multiple paths to the "win condition"(an A or the desired score), progressive scaffolding, freedom to fail and try again, embedded assessment, acknowledgement for success (rewards), etc. can function together to promote a safe and intrinsically motivating learning experience. Gameful design promotes autonomy, competence, and belonging (the three basic human needs in Self-Determination Theory), which lead to more intrinsic valuations around an activity.

已翻译

赞

3 Technological issues

Gamification can also encounter technological issues, such as accessibility, usability, and reliability. For example, gamification can be inaccessible or incompatible with the devices, platforms, or networks of the learners, teachers, or administrators, causing exclusion, inequality, or isolation. It can also be unusable or unintuitive for the users, requiring too much time, effort, or skill to understand, navigate, or interact with the gamified system. Moreover, gamification can be unreliable or unstable, suffering from bugs, errors, or failures that disrupt or damage the learning process or outcomes. Therefore, gamification should be tested and evaluated for its technical functionality and usability.

添加您的观点

April Guardabascio

Neurodivergent Expert, Learning Experience Designer, Iterative Educator, Problem-Solver, Life-long Learner, Research-minded Professional, Practical Instructor, & Endless Retainer of Movie Quotes
举报内容
I've had this experience using Vocabulary Jam through Vocabulary.com. School wifi connections or individual devices can create an issue despite testing ahead of time. In those instances, I encourage teamwork quickly and have them buddy up with someone nearby. It helps with exclusion and promotes collaboration.

已翻译

赞

4 Psychological issues

Gamification can also trigger psychological issues, such as motivation, emotion, and identity. For example, gamification can undermine learners' intrinsic motivation, by replacing their interest, curiosity, or satisfaction with external rewards, pressure, or comparison. It can also elicit negative emotions, such as anxiety, frustration, or disappointment, if the gamified system is too difficult, unfair, or unpredictable. Furthermore, gamification can affect learners' identity, self-esteem, or social relationships, by creating stereotypes, labels, or divisions based on their performance, behavior, or preferences. Therefore, gamification should be tailored and personalized to the learners' needs, goals, and preferences.

添加您的观点

Lori Scalf

Semi-Retired: Consultant, Special Educator; Former Department Chair, Transition Coordinator, Mentor Teacher, BEACON Program
(已编辑)
举报内容
One way I have used gamification that has been successful in my classroom the last 3 years is what I call Personalized Teamwork Competition. We start by having 1:1 discussions about strengths/weaknesses in an area & set attainable goals for the task. My students then “compete” with (not ‘against’) themselves. Then, for those that are comfortable, we add competition between groups/classes/blocks where only totals are used & nobody knows individual scores except the student & me. Many of my Special Needs students (SLD) at the high school level who are involved in sports participate in golf, tennis, wrestling, bowling—where scores are based on individual performance while being part of a team, so this format is a way that makes sense for them.

已翻译

赞

5 Practical issues

Gamification can also face practical issues, such as cost, time, and support. For example, gamification can be costly to design, develop, implement, and maintain, requiring financial, human, and material resources that may not be available or affordable. It can also be time-consuming to plan, execute, and evaluate, requiring dedication, coordination, and communication among the stakeholders involved. Moreover, gamification can require support and guidance from teachers, peers, or experts, who may not be trained, prepared, or willing to facilitate or participate in the gamified learning experience. Therefore, gamification should be realistic and feasible in terms of its scope, scale, and sustainability.

Gamification can be a powerful and innovative way to enhance learning and motivation in education. However, it also comes with challenges and risks that need to be carefully considered and addressed. By being aware of the ethical, pedagogical, technological, psychological, and practical issues of gamification, we can design and implement more effective and ethical gamified learning experiences.

添加您的观点

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?

添加您的观点

Educational Technology

+ 关注

给文章评分

我们借助人工智能创建了此文章。您认为这篇文章怎么样？

很棒不太好

举报此文章

查看全部

What are the challenges and risks of gamification in education?

1

2

3

4

5

6

1 Ethical issues

2 Pedagogical issues

3 Technological issues

4 Psychological issues

5 Practical issues

6 Here’s what else to consider

Educational Technology

给文章评分

感谢您的反馈

更多Educational Technology相关文章

更多相关阅读内容

What are the challenges and risks of gamification in education?

1

2

3

4

5

6

1 Ethical issues

2 Pedagogical issues

3 Technological issues

4 Psychological issues

5 Practical issues

6 Here’s what else to consider

Educational Technology

给文章评分

感谢您的反馈

查看其他技能