“Gamification is the process of using game mechanics and game thinking in non-gaming contexts to engage users and to solve problems. Gamification leverages game design, loyalty program design and behavioral economics to create the optimal context for behavior change and successful outcomes.” Engagement Alliance

Developers and educators are very interested into looking into these processes and learning through “unconventional” techniques using technology. In today’s day in age, with so many distractions (a lot of them tech distractions), education in the 21st century is focusing more on engaging students, keeping them engaged and creating a self-learner approach.

The process of learning needs to be fun and this can be seen various EdTech companies. The look and feel that games provide engage learners on a deeper more meaningful level. Whether it be through competitions, rewards and applying gamified features, they can help learners master and retain information much more quickly.

What's the Difference?

Check out this great infographic:

http://elearninginfographics.com/games-vs-game-based-learning-vs-gamificati...

Credit:

http://elearninginfographics.com/games-vs-game-based-learning-vs-gamificati...

Students today are digital natives; not like their digital immigrant teachers.

Many studies have looked into the games industry to find out why games are so addictive to both children and adults. Players may play hours upon hours whereas they are not willing to spend more than 15 minutes on doing homework or studying for exams. Same issues appear with adults who would rather play online games than do compulsory chores. Many people confuse gamification with playing games; these are two very different things. Playing a game is the actual action of playing. Gamification, on the other hand, looks into games’ mechanism. There are typical elements which are used in most games, such as:

Challenge.
Chance.
Competition.
Cooperation.
Feedback.
Rewards.
Winning.
Progression.

These game elements can be easily extracted from a game content and applied to almost any field. The idea is to take the engaging elements of gaming and implement them into the teaching process.

Benefits of Level Up Gamification for your STLP

Giving students ownership of their STLP,

Opportunities to identify STLP goals,

Freedom to fail and try again without negatives,

Opportunities for differentiated STLP activities,

Making learning and STLP success visible,

Manageable structure for STLP activity,

Inspiring STLP groups to explore new areas.

About Badges and the Gamification of STLP

STLP groups can earn badges for a variety of activities throughout the school year. Level Up badges are fun ways to engage your STLP learners — often they can highlight activities that your STLP may already be participating in.

STLP Level Up badges provide a framework for a number of STLP related activities that your STLP can build upon throughout the year.

STLP groups can claim badges for a number of different activities. Various Level Up badges are listed under 5 different categories: Achievement, Collaboration, Contribution, Progression, and Challenges. Here are some examples:

ACHIEVEMENT – Earn public recognition for completing events (register a Fall Showcase Project, for example)

COLLABORATION – Work with others to accomplish goals (do a Lync call with another STLP group to peer review a Digital Product, for example)

CONTRIBUTION – Sharing content, news, ideas, feedback as a way to connect STLP with your school, parents, community and peers (submit an idea for a new badge, for example)

PROGRESSION – Level up by achieving cumulative badges (compete in every category of a state level event, for example)

CHALLENGES – Tackle new activity challenges within a limited amount of time (posted randomly throughout the year – for example, Post a Picture of your STLP with your Superintendent)

ACHIEVEMENT – Earn public recognition for completing events (register a Regional Showcase Project, for example)

CONTRIBUTION – Sharing content, news, ideas, feedback as a way to connect STLP with your school, parents, community and peers (submit an idea for a new badge, for example)

PROGRESSION – Level up by achieving cumulative badges (compete in every category of a state level event, for example)

COLLABORATION – Work with others to accomplish goals (do a Google Hangout/Meet or Skype call with another STLP group to peer review a Digital Product, for example)

CHALLENGES – Tackle new activity challenges within a limited amount of time (posted randomly throughout the year – for example, Post a Picture of your STLP with your Superintendent)

How to Claim a Badge

Earning an STLP Level Up badge is simple: complete the activity ascribed to the badge and your STLP can claim it. Badges are claimed on the honor system; STLP Headquarters does not need to verify your claim.

Each STLP has significant latitude to determine how a badge is earned. The variety of specific activities that could be used to claim a badge is wide and open to your interpretation — basically, if your local activity reasonably fits the intention of the badge, then it’s all yours! STLP badges are

Once your STLP has earned a badge, click on the image of the badge below to open a larger 800×800 pixel version in a new window. Then follow the procedures used by your operating system to save the badge (often, “right click” and “Save Image As…” on most computers; tap and hold on many mobile operating systems).

Badges expire each year on June 30th. STLP badges reset on July 1.

An STLP may apply for Gold and Silver Status. Gold Status is conferred once a school submits evidence that meets criteria listed on the "Request Gold Status Rubric". If an STLP only reaches Silver Status, they may reapply the following year, with updated/new evidence, for Gold Status.

Once Gold Status is achieved, that STLP may retain Gold Status by (1) maintaining an active STLP with uninterrupted Gold Status from the previous year, (2) re-submitting STLP info to the Get Recognized! database annually (3) completing the online form to identify the (minimum) 7 STLP Level Up badges their group has earned during the current STLP year, (4) and by providing a short, simple, overview of their STLP activities.