Implementing gamification to enhance teaching and learning

The Centre for Learning and Teaching organised a workshop called “Workshop on Digital Tools for Teaching” also known as Gamification Workshop at UTAR Sungai Long Campus on 19 February 2020. The workshop aimed to enhance the teaching methods of UTAR Faculty of Creative Industries (FCI) lecturers. The talk was conducted by Faculty of Art and Social Science (FAS) Department of Languages and Linguistics lecturers Kristina Francis and Mohd Amir Izuddin bin Mohamad Ghazali.

Mohd Amir explaining gamification

Mohd Amir began the workshop by explaining the meaning of gamification. He mentioned that gamification can be very interesting; it is a process of taking something that is existing and integrating the game mechanics to motivate and create engagement for the students. Mohd Amir also shared the differences between games and gamification. According to him, gamification is good to amplify the students’ learning experience, promote active learning and motivate them extrinsically and intrinsically. It also brings benefits to the lecturers and students as gamification makes learning fun, gives students challenges to solve and provides them a reason to learn.

Kristina then continued by giving examples of gamification to enhance the participants’ teaching skills. She made her own custom-made board games and tags as teaching aids to enhance students’ learning interest. Kristina also shared the tools for gamification and urged the FCI lecturers to give it a try. The tools included Biteable, Kahoot, Quizizz and Padlet. She then conducted a role play with the lecturers by using Flipgrid. Flipgrib is a free tool that is easily available. This tool helps to engage every voice in the classroom by recording and sharing short and awesome videos. It can also be used to create presentational videos. The session saw active participation from the lecturers.

Souvenir presentation and group photo sessions were held before the workshop adjourned.

Participants actively participating and enjoying the role-play session at the workshop

Department of Mass Communication Head Cynthia Lau Pui-Shan (right) presenting a certificate of appreciation to Mohd Amir

Department of Mass Communication Head Cynthia Lau Pui-Shan (right) presenting a certificate of appreciation to Kristina Francis

Kristina (front row, fourth from left) and Mohd Amir (back row, fourth from right) with the workshop participants