Koneru Lakshman Havish, Vice President, KL Deemed to be University

Gamification is a new and exciting approach to learning and education. It is based on the mechanics of games to create a more immersive and experiential learning environment. This learning strategy has proved highly effective in bolstering skill development and accelerating the pace of career development in many fields. Gamification has proved highly significant in developing critical skills in students to enhance their chances for better career opportunities. Gamification helps in the development of crucial skills like critical thinking, problem-solving, and communication, to name a few. Fostering such skills is fundamental for students to understand job requirements and become industry-ready.

Critical thinking

Critical thinking is an imperative skill to succeed in the current business environment. Critical thinking is required to analyze, evaluate and apply information in different situations and functions. It is necessary to sieve any assumptions and biases present in the data. Gamification helps to develop critical thinking by providing students with meaningful, relevant and engaging learning experiences. It helps to bolster critical thinking through game elements, which have goals, rules, feedback, rewards, and challenges; gamification can help students structure their learning process and monitor their progress.

Problem-Solving Skills

Problem-solving skills are necessary skill to achieve success in any field and industry. When applied effectively, a gamification learning strategy can enhance problem-solving skills in students. Gamified learning modules offer an alternate dimension that helps students view problems with a new perspective. It allows students to experience real-life situations and challenges while motivating and engaging them to apply new learning techniques for better results. Gamification helps students get hands-on experience in real-life business situations while teaching techniques and methods to overcome hurdles using problem-solving skills.

Creative Skills

Creativity and innovation are two buzzwords critical to success in any field. Creativity and innovation become crucial to advance in a career. The demand of today’s business requires strong cognitive problem-solving, making creative skills more essential than analytical ones. Gamification can enhance creativity by offering students a clear goal, a challenge, a feedback system, and a sense of autonomy and mastery. Gamified learning modules can also foster your creativity by exposing you to novel and diverse scenarios, characters, and mechanics that can inspire your own ideas.

Communication Skills

Communication skills are highly significant to functioning in an organization smoothly. Gamification is an effective learning strategy to enhance communication skills in students by providing realistic and relevant scenarios and tasks. Gamified learning modules encourage students to explore different communication strategies and techniques, such as active listening, empathy, assertiveness, and persuasion. Gamified modules simulate real-life scenarios for learners to apply their communication skills in a supportive environment where they receive constructive feedback.

Collaboration and social skills

A significant advantage of gamification is that it fosters collaboration and social skills among its learners. To succeed in a dynamic work environment, it is pivotal for students to collaborate and enhance peer-to-peer relationships. Gamification can create a sense of community and belonging among students by allowing them to collaborate, connect and compete with each other. Gamification can also facilitate peer-to-peer learning and feedback by enabling learners to share their experiences, insights, and tips with each other.

Gamification offers simulation of real-life scenarios and situations for students with immediate and constructive feedback. Gamified modules help students gain hands-on experience approaching work situations with new and innovative perspectives. It helps to prepare students for the future and makes them industry-ready.