The Importance Of Gamified Learning For Competitive Exams
In recent times, gamified learning has evolved from being a mere buzzword to a powerful tool for education. Today, many digital platforms are infusing game mechanics in online learning courses to make learning fun and dynamic. But what makes this so effective? The reason is that there is science at play here. Gamified courses bank on our natural desires to learn, compete, and achieve and package it into a productive learning experience.
When students accumulate points for every correct answer on a quiz, fight for the first position on a leaderboard, and collect badges for every achievement, the entire learning experience becomes exciting. Gamified learning holds the promise to introduce entertainment and stimulation to a somewhat drab experience, especially for competitive exam preparations.
Why Does Gamification Work?
Why do 22 people gather on a rainy, muddy July morning for a game of football? There are a couple of reasons. Firstly, the game is accessible to anybody due to its sheer simplicity. Secondly, at its heart, the game is a great motivator and nurtures the desire to win through competition.
Take into account any sport; it wouldn't be able to attract the numbers, without the aspect of competition. Now take these 'motivating' and 'competitive' factors, apply them to learning, and we get gamified learning. It's all the more relevant to Indian students, as it makes arduous competitive exam preparations, fun and engaging.
Let's understand exactly how gamification can change the game for students preparing for competitive exams.
Improves Self-study
Self-study is a crucial aspect of any competitive exam preparation, be it UPSC or JEE Main preparation. However, studying on your own can quickly get monotonous. When online learning courses use 'carrots' - points, badges, and other indicators of achievement – a tedious study session turns into an exciting one. Naturally, this results in improved quality of self-study and retention of concepts.
Gives Freedom to Fail
When you bring the competitive aspect to competitive exam preparation, you essentially relieve students from their fear of failure. Gamification allows students to keep trying and refine their learning without any negative feedback. The only thing one can lose is one's position on the leaderboard.
Real-Time Feedback
Competitive exam preparations usually suffer from a lack of review. However, gamified learning allows test takers to work towards and achieve real-time, meaningful and measurable targets and get instant feedback on their efforts. After all, a student needs to know their strengths and weaknesses to prepare well for the exams.
In Conclusion
Many e-learning platforms like Unacademy are already providing gamified online learning courses that promise an improved learning experience and the result is exciting, personalised, and effective preparation for competitive exams.