On average, about 25 percent of children in the early grades struggle with reading, according to an article in eSchool News using content provided by 3P Learning. These reluctant readers find the process complicated, and they lack confidence in their abilities.
Then there are disinterested readers. The percentage of students who say they read for pleasure is declining: Fewer than half of all children ages 8-18 (43 percent) say they enjoy reading in their spare time, down from 58 percent in 2016. Reaching reluctant and disinterested readers can be challenging, frustrating, and discouraging for teachers, who fully grasp the importance of literacy skills.
In a TEDx talk titled “The Super Mario Effect — Tricking Your Brain into Learning More,” Mark Rober highlighted how video games like Super Mario can motivate people to achieve their goals by viewing failures as learning opportunities. Educators can apply the same principle to improve literacy outcomes through gamified learning in schools. This approach especially helps reluctant readers. They’re encouraged to embrace mistakes, stay motivated, and deepen their understanding of the material.
Gamified learning offers several benefits that can significantly enhance literacy education, including:
1) Less fear of failure
Gamified learning transforms failure from a source of shame into a normal part of the learning experience. Similar to how video game players repeatedly try to overcome obstacles, students in gamified environments can attempt literacy learning tasks multiple times without feeling embarrassed. Research shows that gamification encourages students to fail and reattempt learning tasks without embarrassment.
2) Learning progress is made visible
Gamified learning platforms provide visible progress indicators such as points and progress bars. Students can see their literacy achievements and understand the steps required to advance. By making progress tangible and in-the-moment, students are motivated to continue developing their reading skills and track their growth.
3) Motivation increases
Research shows that games naturally drive motivation through the desire to achieve, socialize, and explore. Gamified learning encourages reluctant readers to excel and actively engage with the material.
4) Cognitive development improves
Games that encourage critical thinking and problem-solving can improve students’ ability to process and retain information, studies show. These are essential skills of literacy education. Many educational games fall into this category. Plus, skills derived from video games have the potential to be successfully used in other disciplines, such as STEM.
5) Personalized learning is authentic
Many video game players spend hundreds of dollars on custom outfits, tools, and accessories for their in-game characters. Why spend money on a tiger suit for a video game character? Because it makes the game uniquely theirs. It gives a sense of pride, ownership, and identity.
Gamified learning environments allow for this type of personalized literacy education experiences. Students can control avatars, set their own goals, and track their progress. Personalization makes the reading journey unique and personal to each student.
When done effectively, gamified learning allows reluctant readers with varying abilities and inclinations to try, fail, and repeat the process until they get it right in a safe and rewarding environment. Readers can also see evidence of their progress. As students advance in a gamified platform, they enhance their skills and build their confidence and enjoyment of reading.
eSchool News
