Gamification is Shaping an Innovative Future for EdTech: Here’s How

EdTech platforms have leveraged cutting-edge technology to bring about Gamification

Recent years have seen colossal changes in every industry, and EdTech is no exception. Although the global pandemic thrust businesses into an unprecedented situation and threw day-to-day life off gear, the crisis also brought accelerated digitization. As schools, colleges, and other educational institutions were forced to shut shop temporarily, the demand for online learning skyrocketed. With more and more students turning towards digital learning solutions, EdTech platforms have leveraged cutting-edge technology to bring about innovative solutions and new concepts. One such aspect that has become a buzzword in the industry is gamification.

What is gamification?

While gamification isn't a new concept, EdTech players are now looking at it from fresh perspectives. The pandemic acted as a catalyst for the concept as it pushed EdTech platforms and other educational institutions to either shift online or adopt a hybrid model. Gamification aims to make learning more engaging and interactive. Involving game-based elements like points, rewards, teamwork, etc., gamification makes learning more immersive and helps learners retain the information better.  Especially at a time when physical, classroom-based learning is out of the question for safety concerns, gamification ensures that learners are engaged. How is this seemingly simple concept playing an instrumental role in transforming the EdTech industry?

Charting a path towards an innovative future

The advent of technologies like AI, ML, Big Data, and IoT has further accelerated the adoption of gamification in the industry. Gamified teaching increases the chances of learners retaining the information and applying the concepts in the real world. Especially for youngsters, gamification is an excellent way to ensure effective and efficient learning.

Besides, gamification in education spurs healthy competition – the recipe for growth and progress. When we include points, rewards, etc., and students see fellow learners doing better, it encourages them to perform well, creating a competitive yet fun atmosphere and facilitating learning. Gamification also helps create a hands-on learning experience. For instance, when EdTech platforms leverage technologies like AR and VR, a practical learning environment that enables holistic learning is created. And with increasing smartphone usage and internet proliferation, there is increased accessibility for learners across the country to gain a hands-on learning experience.

Linking lessons to the real world

As touched upon before, learning about something in an engaging manner makes the process easier. With gamification, EdTech platforms can impart lessons across almost all subjects, especially STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics), in a more innovative way. Through this, learners can gauge how the concepts they have learned can be used to solve real-world problems.

The road ahead

Given that gamification has gained immense traction, more and more EdTech platforms are taking this route. Helping students have a more relaxed and fun learning experience, gamification allows them to become proactive and learn without the fear of errors. With the increasing integration of gamified learning, EdTech companies will witness better growth and revenue, especially amid the current scenario, which calls for hybrid learning.

However, to ensure that EdTech and gamification complement each other, a sophisticated and thoughtful approach and carefully devise a strategy to create a successful model. But EdTech is all about innovation, and players who build a robust gamification strategy are sure to succeed in the long run.

Author:

Suresh Rao, Founding Member and Executive Director, Imarticus Learning