Gamification

^GAMIFICATION IN EDUCATION
Gabriela Kiryakova¹, Nadezhda Angelova², Lina Yordanova³


Abstract
Today's learners are digital natives. They grew up with digital technologies. Teachers have to solve important issues related to the adaptation of the learning process towards students who have different learning styles and new requirements for teaching and learning. Gamification is one of the educational approaches and techniques that increase motivation and engagement of learners. The aim of the current work is to study and present the nature and benefits of gamification and to provide some ideas how to implement it in education.
Key Words: e-learning, gamification, LMS, Moodle

1. INTRODUCTION

Today's learners are digital natives and have new profile. They grew up with digital technologies and have different learning styles, new attitude to the learning process and higher requirements for teaching and learning. Teachers are facing new challenges and have to solve important issues related to the adaptation of the learning process towards students’ needs, preferences and requirements. Teachers have to use different teaching methods and approaches that allow students to be active participants with strong motivation and engagement to their own learning. Modern pedagogical paradigms and trends in education, reinforced by the use of ICT, create prerequisites for use of new approaches and techniques in order to implement active learning. Gamification in training is one of these trends. The aim of the current work is to study and present the nature and benefits of gamification and to provide some ideas how to implement it in education.

2. NATURE OF GAMIFICATION

1. 
   Definitions
   

According to Kapp gamification is “using game-based mechanics, aesthetics and game thinking to engage people, motivate action, promote learning, and solve problems.” (Kapp, 2012)
Gamification is the use of game thinking, approaches and elements in a context different from the games. Using game mechanics improves motivation and learning in formal and informal conditions (GamifyingEducation.org). Various definitions overlap and can be summarized as follows: Gamification is an integration of game elements and game thinking in activities that are not games.
Games have some distinctive features which play a key role in gamification:

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