The diversity of active learning methodologies can transform traditional classroom dynamics by offering interactive and personalized experiences for all types of students. Gamification is the embodiment of an active learning methodology, applying game elements—such as scores, levels, and rewards—to motivate and engage students in the learning process.

It was in the early 2000s that the term “gamification” began to gain prominence, directly influenced by the evolution of the video game industry. Today, there are a variety of apps and platforms designed to assist teachers in their teaching practices.

Carolina Pavanelli, head of pedagogy at Árvore, a gamified learning platform, points out that gamification is an established methodology in other countries. “The first time I came across the idea of gamification was before the pandemic, on a trip to Finland. What caught my attention was that, in many schools across the country, there were educational games in the classrooms—whether it was an interactive whiteboard, Legos, or puzzles,” she recalls. In New York, for example, the Quest to Learn school bases its entire curriculum on gamification. “It’s not easy to create, but when educators manage to implement these activities, the increase in student engagement is clear,” says Carolina.

For Bernard Caffé, founder and CEO of Jovens Gênios—an adaptive learning and gamified assessment platform —the pandemic highlighted the need for teaching methods that are more engaging for students in Brazil. He points out that the focus of education, traditionally centered on the teacher, is undergoing changes. “The key difference we see in the wake of the pandemic, combined with advances in generative artificial intelligence, is the need to place students at the center of the learning journey,” says Caffé.

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He emphasizes that gamification offers a more lighthearted and engaging learning experience. “When we talk about meaningful learning, we need to look at methodologies such as Universal Design for Learning, which considers not only what the student is learning, but also how and why. Gamification provides a pathway that taps into human behavior by understanding how students learn and translating that into the language of games to explain why they should learn,” he explains. Caffé adds: “The learning journey doesn’t have to be a struggle; it can be fun. There’s nothing better than learning while having fun.”

However, the proper implementation of gamification requires careful consideration. One of the biggest mistakes, according to Caffé, is failing to take the target audience into account. He explains that we have “digital immigrants” teaching “digital natives,” which creates a generational disconnect in terms of interests and desires. To avoid this mistake, it is essential to clearly define the rules and rewards, as well as adapt the experiences to the students’ needs. “We need to think about who we’re including in this process and which models are most effective,” he concludes.

AI + Gamification = A Perfect Match in the Classroom

When it comes to the role of artificial intelligence (AI) in education, Caffé sees AI as an essential ally in personalizing instruction. “Artificial intelligence is basically the use of data science, algorithms, and mathematical sequences with statistical logic to replicate human intelligence,” he says.

The founder and CEO of Jovens Gênios points out that generative AI, made popular by ChatGPT, complements predictive AI. “At Jovens Gênios, we’ve been using predictive AI for over six years to recommend personalized learning paths based on various real-time analyses of students,” he explains. Generative AI, on the other hand, has the ability to generate content. “In other words, it’s now possible to create a unique learning path for each student, not just recommend one,” he says. 

Caffé explains that AI is linked to gamification because, by gaining a deeper understanding of human behavior, it’s possible to personalize the user’s experience in games. “The best games are the ones where I feel like I’m part of the process, because they’re tailored to me. AI—whether generative or predictive—is a powerful tool for enhancing gamification,” he emphasizes.

In addition to gamification itself, Carolina discusses the role of AI in education, emphasizing that, far from being a threat, it can be a powerful ally. “Artificial intelligence isn’t the end of education; on the contrary, it can help and bring it up to date. We can’t keep teaching the same kind of classes we did 5, 10, or 50 years ago. And in five years, classes will have to be different from what they are today,” she says.

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She believes that advances in tools like ChatGPT will transform the dynamics of the classroom. “Today, students have access to tools like ChatGPT, which offers a wealth of information based on global databases—far greater than any single teacher’s individual knowledge. Anyone still stuck in the traditional ‘lecture-and-note-taking’ model is falling behind,” she points out.

The head of pedagogy at Árvore suggests that teachers should embrace this new reality. “There’s no point in fighting against AI. While one teacher resists, another is learning to use ChatGPT to improve their lesson plan, making the class more interesting and engaging,” argues Pavanelli, emphasizing that there are already many resources available—many of them free—to help with the adoption of AI.

Árvore, for example, offers specific training programs on the use of AI, responding to demand from schools. “The school asks, and we provide training for teachers on the use of AI. Teachers need to stay up to date, because ChatGPT isn’t going to take their jobs. On the contrary, those who know how to use these resources well will be the professionals who stand out,” he concludes.

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