Time-to-Adoption: Two to Three Years
Gamification
Gamification refers to the integration of games or gaming mechanics into educational
experiences. This topic has gained considerable traction over the past decade as games have
proven to be effective learning tools, and beneficial in cognitive development and the fostering of soft skills among students, such as collaboration, communication, problem-solving, and critical thinking. The forms of games grow increasingly diverse and some of the most commonly used for educational purposes include alternate reality games (ARG), massively multiplayer online games (MMO), and global social awareness games. Most games that are currently used for learning across a wide range of disciplines share similar qualities: they are goal-oriented; have strong social components; and simulate some sort of real world experience that students find relevant to their lives.
As game-based learning garners more attention in academia, developers are responding
with games expressly designed to support immersive, experiential learning. Another major
component of this topic is the gamification of learning, in which aspects of games are
incorporated into learning exercises. For example, students may receive karma points or badges or move up to a new level after performing well during an activity.
Relevance for Teaching and Learning in Singaporean K-12 Education
! Educational games can be used to teach cross-curricular concepts that touch on many
subjects in an engaging way.
! Gamification offers opportunities for both discovery-based and goal-oriented learning,
and can be a very effective way to develop teambuilding skills.
! Simulations and role-playing games allow students to re-enact difficult situations to try
new responses or pose creative solutions.
Gamification in Practice
! Developed by the National Institute of Education in Singapore, the “Legends of Alkhimia”
video game supports middle and high school chemistry curriculum: go.nmc.org/legen.
! Gaming company Rockmoon is collaborating with FutureSchools@Singapore to promote
the use of a mobile app that supports self-directed, immersive learning: go.nmc.org/ixhrv.
! Singapore’s premier independent game studio has been commissioned by Singapore’s
Ministry of Education to develop a massively multi-player online game that will
incorporate speech recognition and intelligent tutoring technology: go.nmc.org/nrccn.