Gamifying Education: Why and How

Classrooms today look very different than they did 30, 20, or even ten years ago. 

Thanks to the tech boom (and the increase of technology in the classroom specifically), digital game-based learning has become a major component for many teachers. 

Technology has completely transformed how students are taught as well as how they learn.

Studies show kids play video games an average of 4-6 hours a day — and it’s thought that using similar gamified education apps in the classroom can increase engagement and overall learning in classes like math!

In fact, 74% of teachers are already on board with this trend, using digital games and gamifying education to level up their lesson plans. 

Not only does this keep students engaged with educational content, but it can also help improve their success at school. 

The progress monitoring tools available when using digital learning games and tools can help teachers track exactly where students are. And then provide targeted instruction and intervention. 

Plus, game-based learning can turn math into the star of the show, with 34% of game-related classroom conversations focusing on math when gamified education apps are used in the classroom!

So, let’s dive into the world of digital game-based learning and see how it’s shaking up education.

• According to this study, compared to traditional instruction, digital game-based learning has shown to be more effective in improving students’ mathematical learning. The interactive, hands-on nature of game-based learning keeps students actively participating in the lesson. This can lead to a better understanding and retention of mathematical concepts.
• While interacting with games rooted in math, students reported enjoying math more. Research found students to be more engaged with the content. This increased engagement can translate to better confidence and motivation, making math feel less like a chore.
• The most impactful approach combines digital games with traditional lessons in a blended learning environment. With this method, students benefit from both structured teaching and the fun, adaptive nature of math games. A good balance of both optimizes learning outcomes and supercharge student learning. 

Digital game-based learning (DGBL) and gamification might sound similar, but they’re actually quite different approaches to bringing game concepts into the classroom. Each is considered its own teaching strategy.

Here are the main differences: 

• DGBL — Offers a delicate balance between in-class lessons and educational gameplay. Teachers first introduce students to new concepts during class and demonstrate them through direct instruction. Then students practice these concepts through digital games. It’s all about balancing direct instruction with playful learning.
• Gamification — Involves taking elements from games -- such as leaderboards, levels or points -- and adding them to regular lessons. The goal is to make lessons more engaging and fun, even if the material isn’t the most thrilling.

Both of these strategies take things many children enjoy doing outside of the classroom and add them to their education. This can help students stay focused in class and can improve their overall understanding of fundamental concepts.

Not all games are created equal when it comes to learning in the classroom.

So how do we differentiate games that are appropriate for helping students learn in the classroom from those that are used purely for entertainment? Researchers have classified games into two categories:

• Video games — Games designed for pure entertainment.
• Serious games — Games designed to teach or help students practice certain skills or content. 

But the lines can blur! Some video games, while initially created just for fun, can be adapted to teach different skills. This can bring them into the realm of serious gaming. 

On the other hand, serious games can incorporate fun elements of video games to make them more entertaining and engaging.

Striking the right balance between fun and educational content is key to creating games that are both enjoyable and effective for learning.

With DGBL on the rise, many teachers are incorporating various types of games into their classrooms regularly. Some use games every month while others use games as often as every week.

It’s clear that more and more educators are seeing the value in using games to enhance their teaching strategies and make learning more engaging for students. 

So if you want to be one of these educators, how can you use DGBL in your classroom?

Game-based learning and play-based learning have actually been around for longer than you might think! Even simple games like Duck-Duck-Goose have been teaching kids important skills like attention, following rules and motor skills for generations.

One of the earliest examples of DGBL is The Oregon Trail. This game was one of the first created for educational purposes. 

Back in 1974, The Oregon Trail gave children a fun way of learning about what life was like for pioneers. This allows teachers to immerse their students in history like never before.

And then in 1985, The Oregon Trail was adapted into an online game. Throughout the next decade, as it was made available to play on more and more platforms, it truly became a great resource for DGBL.

As technology has advanced, so has the potential for DGBL. It has become a powerful tool both inside and outside the classroom.

Since those early days, DGBL has come a long way in terms of quality and content. 

Today’s DGBL learning platforms can personalize lessons for each student, using real-time analytics to identify their strengths and weaknesses. 

DGBL platforms track progress in the background — meaning students usually have no idea they’re being tested at all! Teachers can use this data to see how far along each student is in their development and make sure the game is helping them progress at the right level. 

DGBL software helps educators engage students with content in a way that wasn’t possible in the past. But research has shown DGBL works best in tandem with in-class lessons — in other words, using the blended learning strategy. 

Playing games to practice what’s taught in class can help students gain confidence with educational content and can relieve math anxiety.

Using digital game-based learning (DGBL) in the classroom sounds great, but is it the right choice for your students?

Several studies have looked at this question and the overall conclusion appears to be —YES!

Research shows some relation between improved educational achievement and the use of GBL/DGBL strategies.

Let’s look at the effectiveness of DGBL in a little more detail.

The secret to DGBL’s success starts with engagement. These platforms help students stay interested in what they’re learning in and out of class.

A study from the International Journal of Serious Games found that the improved engagement DGBL learning provides also leads to students having more motivation to complete school work.

In fact, a 2012 study by the Mathematics Education Research Journal showed 93% of class time was spent on-task when using game-based learning, compared to only 72% without it.

This shows when students are engaged with content, they’re more likely to stay motivated in class.

Teachers who are consistently using DGBL strategies in their classrooms — and adjusting their lessons based on the feedback they receive from the software — are seeing significant improvements in both learning and grades.

DGBL appears to be particularly effective in helping kids improve their overall math knowledge and understanding.

In their 2014 survey, the Games and Learning Publishing Council stated, “Nearly three quarters (71%) of digital game-using teachers report that games have been effective in improving their students’ mathematical learning.”

When students fall behind — especially in cumulative subjects like math — they can lose confidence in their abilities and develop a feeling of anxiety. DGBL helps combat this pain point by pinpointing strengths and weaknesses and letting students practice at their own pace.

DGBL platforms offer many tools for educators to take advantage of — they just need to be used effectively for the best results.

Prodigy is a gamified education platform that’s making waves globally, with over 100 million users—including students, teachers and parents. Built on the principle of helping every student love learning, Prodigy combines the fun of video games with serious educational content.

This DGBL platform falls under the category of a serious game with video game features.

Prodigy Math engages students and keeps them motivated to practice math by using fun video game features.

Prodigy Math and Prodigy English also offer an abundance of tools to help educators at all levels:

• Get real-time statistics
• Personalize instruction 
• Review student progress
• Give students confidence
• Communicate achievement to parents

Even with all these tools available, we recommend using Prodigy in tandem with an excellent teacher who has a deep knowledge of content, pedagogy and the technology at hand to enjoy the full benefits DGBL has to offer.

So why choose Prodigy?

We know that Prodigy is just one option of many options that you could choose when looking for an educational game for your students or child.

But what sets Prodigy apart is the depth of research that we’ve done to ensure that students get the most out of every minute they spend playing Prodigy.

If you’re looking for a math app that supports math learning, Prodigy Math is the place to go.

Here are just a few of the ways that research has shown Prodigy can help your students:

1. Improved Math Performance

One efficacy analysis found that Prodigy can help improve math achievement. In schools where students used Prodigy regularly, they saw significantly greater improvements in math scores on the California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress (CAASPP) when compared to those who did not use Prodigy.

The app’s adaptive learning and engaging gameplay can help motivate students to stay focused and practice more frequently. This may have been what led to better outcomes in mastering math concepts and meeting state standards for students using Prodigy compared to those who didn’t.

2. Higher Standardized Math Scores

A correlational study, reviewed by the Center for Research and Reform in Education at Johns Hopkins University, found that students who used Prodigy more often and who performed better in the game scored significantly higher on the state standardized math test.

This link between high Prodigy usage, improved in-game performance and success on standardized tests suggests that Prodigy is an effective tool for math skill development.

3. Support for Students in Need

This study conducted in Dickinson ISD shows that Prodigy can greatly benefit students who are economically disadvantaged. The study showed a positive correlation between Prodigy use and growth in end-of-year assessment scores.

Excitingly, economically disadvantaged students who regularly used Prodigy demonstrated significant growth in their math performance compared to non-users.

4. In-Depth Progress Monitoring Tools to Cater to Diverse Students

Our progress monitoring tools are some of the best in the business for improving math learning. These tools help you track student performance in real-time, offering insights into individual strengths and weaknesses.

These tools can help you provide personalized learning experiences, give immediate feedback to your students and allow you the ability to adjust difficulty based on each student's progress. 

This can lead to better student engagement and higher achievement in math as you tailor lessons to meet the specific needs of your students.

5. Improved Attitude Towards Math

A child's attitude toward math can significantly impact their learning. Having negative feelings about math often stem from anxiety, fear of failure or disengagement. And these feelings can prevent a child from learning at their full potential.

Tests and assessments are a common place for math anxiety. Using a gamified assessment in education may be a great anxiety-reducing way to test students’ skills.

For students who cited low math enjoyment, Prodigy use also correlated with a shift in students’ mindsets by turning math into an enjoyable, game-based experience.

The app engages students with adaptive challenges, rewards, and interactive gameplay, which can make math much less intimidating. This approach can increase confidence and motivation and may ultimately lead to better academic outcomes.

6. Ranked Highest For Math Apps that Support Learning

This study found the Prodigy ranked number one in math apps that support student learning.

Students who used Prodigy saw greater improvements in math skills compared to other apps. This is largely thanks to its engaging, game-based format.

Prodigy is used by almost a million teachers across the globe. So many have found that Prodigy Math and Prodigy English are invaluable resources for student achievement, enhancing their lesson plans and maximizing teaching time.

But a number of classrooms have allowed us to dive deeper into the impact of Prodigy on math learning and student engagement. 

Prodigy partnered with schools across the U.S. and heard directly from them about why Prodigy was such an impactful tool. 

Each school faced unique challenges, from overcoming funding shortages to boosting math confidence and closing learning gaps. 

Through its adaptive, game-based platform, Prodigy helped students master more math skills, increase motivation and bridge academic gaps. 

Here’s a summary of how Prodigy was used in each school:

1. Clifton, NJ: Students using Prodigy mastered nearly twice as many math skills monthly, with higher engagement and improved learning outcomes. Teachers appreciated the real-time data for lesson planning.
2. Escambia County, FL: After losing funding, Prodigy supported math instruction and provided an engaging, cost-effective solution.
3. Clayton County, GA: Prodigy was used to promote math confidence, helping students overcome math anxiety.
4. Floyd County, GA: Staff said that Prodigy increased student motivation and performance, making math more accessible.
5. Fullerton, CA: Prodigy helped students master more math skills each month.
6. Haralson County, GA: Prodigy helped teachers bridge learning gaps, especially in early grades.
7. West Belden, IL: Prodigy helped improve student engagement and provided fun, personalized math practice.

To read more about any of these schools, just click on the location. 

Children love playing games - whether they’re board games, card games, outdoor games, or digital games. 

So, why not bring that love for gaming into the classroom? 

Combining games with education in the form of game-based learning or digital game-based learning is a research-backed way to improve engagement, motivation and overall educational achievement.

While more research still needs to be done on DGBL to ensure best practices in the classroom, the teaching strategy is growing in popularity as it continues to help students in school — especially in math!

Technology and DGBL can help teachers enhance lessons and support every child’s success in their education.

If you want to dig even deeper into the topic of game-based learning, check out the full Literature Review here.

Or are you ready to dive in and implement DGBL in your classroom? We’re here to support you every step of the way. 

If you’re teaching 1st to 8th grade, Prodigy is the way to go. Your students will be reaping the benefits of gamifying education in no time. And best of all, it’s free to get started with a teacher account or parent account today! 

Here's to the math learning ahead!