Gamification as a design instructional

Abstract

This article presents an instructional design for the development, application, evaluation, and redesign of teaching and learning sequences and learning environments based on gamification strategies. Unlike the Game Based Learning (GBL) methodology, which consists of the use of entertainment and/or educational games as a didactic practice, gamification uses game design, game-thinking, and game mechanics, but does not aim at game development. Gamification in education uses all the game’s design principles and game elements to motivate and engage students in the teaching and learning process. In this sense, motivational theories constitute an important ingredient in the construction of a gamified system. A brief excerpt from ABG is made, covering science games that are used in the classroom. Central ideas of gamification and some motivational models that contribute to sustained engagement are discussed. Within this approach, an instructional design is proposed along at the spirit of the Design-Based Research (DBR). Examples of application of gamification in the multiplayer classroom environment are presented.