Fortunately, the gamification of learning technical subjects could be the catalyst for improved academic performance in African schoolchildren as it emphasises interaction and cooperation among students which can significantly increase their engagement with schoolwork.
By Michael Akuchie
Throughout my years of education starting from nursery school to the university, my teachers relied on the ‘chalk-and-talk’ method. Known as a traditional method whereby the teacher stays in front of the class and speaks while students take notes using the instructor’s statements as a focal point, the chalk-and-talk method has existed for a long while.
One major feature of this teaching style is the fact that the teacher is considered the custodian of information and the students must rely on their expertise.
It is worth mentioning that the chalk-and-talk method leaves much to be desired in terms of student engagement. In school, we rarely spoke out of turn in class unless called upon to do so by the instructor. The limited interaction made certain subjects such as Mathematics, Geography, and the like quite difficult for me and my friends.
Sure, diagrams were drawn on the board as part of efforts to illustrate the concepts, but I still had a hard time grasping the points. Perhaps if some level of gamification, which is the use of game-like elements in any area like education or marketing, had been introduced into the curriculum, I would have been more interested in said subjects.
The importance of science subjects such as Mathematics, Physics, and Chemistry in Africa can not be understated. According to a blog post published by Southeastern Oklahoma State University, science subjects equip students with the necessary skills to think, learn, and solve problems. Besides, everything around us is a product of science.
The ceiling fan, the television in the living room, the vehicles accelerating on the road, and lots more are human inventions. Studying science can help Africa grow its next crop of inventors, critical thinkers, and disruptors.
With the appropriate learning environment, these critical thinkers can go on to develop fresh ideas to solve the continent’s many problems including financial inclusion, access to quality patient care, and access to world-class education.
A research paper conducted by Jacob Kola Aina to ascertain the challenges of teaching science subjects in primary schools in Edu local government area in Kwara state identified the absence of well-equipped laboratories and decreased motivation among students as two major problems.
Once students become disinterested in a particular subject, it becomes difficult for them to unleash the full potential of their abilities, thereby resulting in average or below-average academic performances.
Fortunately, the gamification of learning technical subjects could be the catalyst for improved academic performance in African schoolchildren as it emphasises interaction and cooperation among students who can significantly increase their engagement with schoolwork. Gamification may sound like a buzzword like Artificial Intelligence, Metaverse, or even Blockchain, but it is not exactly a new concept.
In the Boy Scouts, a youth organisation found in virtually any country, the collection of badges and ranks is seen as a fun thing to do among members. Today, several apps ranging from language learning apps like Duolingo to religious apps like the YouVersion Bible have incorporated gamification elements like badges, achievements, and streaks in their service offerings to increase user retention and improve the overall experience. Currently, I have a 110-week streak on Grammarly, an AI-driven grammar checker.
Sure, gamification seems to be working wonders in mobile apps and offline activities like the Boy Scouts, but what are its prospects in education? Well, mostly positive. Gamification can make students feel more motivated than before.
Instead of being confined to a desk all day watching the teacher’s lips move and the board become filled with formulas and calculations, the students can be given a fun assignment like being asked to solve for the traditional “X”, but in a different style. Perhaps, it could be in the form of a puzzle designed like a quest that students have to beat to complete.
Seeing as that’s pretty much how most adventure games are designed, this concept should connect with students easily. By bringing game-like elements into the teaching process, students’ motivation will increase as they will start seeing science subjects as fun and engaging instead of boring and tedious.
The gamification of education can also contribute to learners’ cognitive development. The Smithsonian Science Education Center believes that the introduction of gamification can encourage increased brain activity.
Through brain teasers and puzzles, students will be likely to engage their brains more, which should accelerate how the organ processes information. It can also grow the level of engagement with schoolwork among students. Instead of getting home and dumping their bags somewhere, they will be interested in working on the homework that looks like a game.
It should be noted that introducing gamification to Africa’s education sector does not translate to instant success. A few obstacles should be tackled before the gains can be attained. For instance, teachers must be enlightened on the importance of “gamifying” their curriculum for them and their students.
This means doing away with their traditional methods and embracing the modern-day style. It is expected that some teachers will be suspicious of technology and may resist all attempts to gamify their methods. This is where the education ministry across all African countries should step in and help onboard teachers via seminars and workshops.
The success of gamification in Africa’s schools depends on the quality of the internet. Compared to North America and East Asia, Sub-Saharan Africa is still behind in terms of internet speed. With so many regions in Africa still yet to witness the incredible speeds of 5G internet, some students may encounter network problems with connecting to gamification applications.
The curriculum will need to be updated by the ministries of education and education boards. Given the high level of bureaucracy involved, it may take years for a new curriculum reflecting the change to emerge. Also, the government will need to invest in smart boards and other tools as they will help teachers introduce fun elements to their topics.
These tools are quite expensive, so the education ministry’s budget will need to be reviewed upward. Seeing as other sectors need money too, this may pose an allocation headache for lawmakers.
Regardless of the challenges, the gamification of teaching in Africa can stimulate students’ minds and increase enrollment rates. The chalk-and-talk method is waning in other climes and is being replaced by a technology-driven style. It is only natural that such change is visited upon Africa.
As mentioned, the continent has vast talents that can grow to become industry disruptors and innovators if provided the right resources like interactive learning apps. It is the government and teachers’ responsibility to carefully consider the advantages of gamification elements in the curriculum and give today’s crop of students a chance to enjoy learning and expand their academic horizons.
Michael Akuchie is a tech journalist with four years of experience covering cybersecurity, AI, automotive trends, and startups. He reads human-angle stories in his spare time. He’s on X (fka Twitter) as @Michael_Akuchie & michael_akuchie on Instagram.
Cover photo credit: PALCS