Why should I play this game? The role of motivation in smart pedagogy

Abstract

Human behavior is very much based on motivation. For decades, researchers have been trying to describe motives in biological terms, or physiological ones, while others are emphasizing on their cognitive aspect in people’s behavior and hence in learning. Motivation and learning can affect one another. Contemporary research recognizes the importance of prompting students to engage in learning activities by creating links between what they already know and what they are asked to learn, creating meaning through game-like experiences. The most positive element of playful activities is the child’s engagement, as games give pleasure, motives, and excitement. Researchers and educators have also found the interest of students with special educational needs for digital games, and they are looking for alternative ways of teaching complex skills to solve problems. This chapter focuses on the role of incentives in the new educational environments, which are flooded by cutting-edge technology, and the value of the gamification in learning process. Students with different learning styles, interests, motivations, and cultural background coexist in classrooms, and the multisensory approach supported by technology seems to serve the principles of differentiated instruction, providing teachers with the opportunity to adapt the process to the needs of each child.