Did you know that playing is a crucial component of cognitive development from birth through adulthood? Think about your favorite games: have you ever gotten tired playing them? Being it hide and seek, puzzles, construction games, board games, there are invisible threads linking our memories, experiences and feelings in connection to playing games and they are all linked to the intrinsic motivation and engagement they trigger in our mind!
 
The new edition of the course “Discover the power of Game Based Learning and Gamification in education​” took place in Palermo de 24/11/2024 a 30/11/2024. Los participantes procedían de toda Europa, con Maria Christina y Elena de Makarios Lyceum III LARNAKA in Cyprus and Sara y Anne de BSZ Delitzsch from Germany. 
The course was game-based, following a sequence of levels from the very beginning. First, we asked participants to create their own characters to join the game, more specifically avatars. This elements are symbolic characters and new superheroes sirvieron así de base para conocerse mutuamente, incluidos los puntos fuertes y las pasiones. Se hizo aún más patente cómo rica y diversa nuestro grupo, reflejando perfectamente la realidad de cada clase en la escuela. 

Durante el primer nivel debatimos el valor pedagógico del juego y cómo los juegos estimulan el aprendizaje. Reflexionamos y reconocimos que los profesores son la mayoría de las veces “inmigrantes digitales” en un cosmos educativo que hoy en día está poblado por nativos digitales only.
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In the second level, the players identified the most prevalent gamification framework, learning the process through which eight key internal and external motivators impact human engagement. A través de un reto sobre la diferencias entre gamificación y aprendizaje basado en juegos, Nuestros “jugadores” podrían aclarar mejor que la gamificación aplica elementos de juego en un entorno no lúdico, mientras que el aprendizaje basado en el juego es un enfoque pedagógico por el que se aprende jugando. 

The third level focused on real life experiences. We went outside to enjoy a búsqueda del tesoro game in the city center of Palermo. Later, they learned how to create their own scavenger hunt experience with their students to keep their motivation high even outside the classroom.
In the fourth level, we compiled and explored a variety herramientas y aplicaciones basadas en juegos. También se familiarizaron con modernas herramientas en línea capaces de producir una mejora significativa del compromiso de los estudiantes y enciende la chispa en el aula! After facing various challenges, the “players” were given the opportunity to create their own quizzes and games for their students.

In the fifth level, we were locked in a escape room digital trying to solve riddles and puzzles to escape. Participants finally tried to find the best way to create digital escape rooms and how to gamify their own classrooms considering their students’ characteristics and learning objectives.
After completing an exciting scavenger hunt and solving the mystery step by step, the participants successfully uncovered their well-deserved certificates. Their teamwork, problem-solving skills, and determination led them to triumph and brought the adventure to a rewarding conclusion!

Más información sobre este curso aquí.