How Can Gamification Improve Education? [Infographic]

We’d all like to think that our Sims addiction counted as an educational activity — but it’s just not meant to be, right?

Wrong.  An infographic from Knewton tells us that games aren’t just recreational time-wasters.  On the contrary, they can offer rich and meaningful experiences in the classroom.

Some aspects of gaming that translate well into an educational space:

• Progression:  As students continue to play through levels and rack up points, they can quantify the value of their work.
• Investment: Students become invested in their work as they earn achievements, receive new challenges and collaborate with others to work toward meaningful goals.
• Cascading Information Theory: Continuing to play the game, students discover new information, gain rewards that they then must keep from losing, and synthesize their skills to overcome complex challenges.

Sounds pretty good to us!  See the full infographic below for more cool ways games can help in schools, plus a timeline of educational games since 1985.

Created by Knewton and Column Five Media