GAMIFICATION 

How I met Gamification ?

     When I was searching for something else on the internet, 7-10 days ago, I came across with Gamfed Turkey. I read that they were accepting applications from volunteers and I didn't want to miss the opportunity. As an accepting process, they gave us, applicants,  daily tasks to get used to gamification. For instance; using Helpsteps app to donate our steps to CSOs, an app called Borsa Ligi (stock league) to learn about stock market via gamification, playing an escape game, watching Gamfed's YouTube videos, reading book summaries about gamification etc. 

As today's task, I am writing you this.  

What is Gamification ?

     Gamification is simply the use of game elements in non-game activities. These varying non-game activities may include marketing, health, education, parenting, raising awareness etc. Gamification is used in a lot of areas of life.  As for the gamification elements , they may include points, timers, badges,  leaderboards, stories, strategy, rewards, competititon, customisation, certificates, levels, purpose etc. Via these mechanics and elements, gamification help boost engagement and participation.

 

Gamification in ELT

      Gamification helps teachers a lot in participation, engagement . It enhances motivation by making students have more fun during the learning process. It also helps them socialize in the classroom. At the same time,  it can help classroom management become easier for the teacher. To sum up, gamification makes everything better and easier for teachers, students and the learning process, itself. 

      To bring gamification into your English classes, you can start with traditional games. There are a lot of options such as Hangman , flashcards, world ladder, word association, picture/word matching games ,Taboo  etc. You can also receive support from technology. There are a lot of  websites and applications you can use for English learning.  In addition, you can gamify your classroom by simply using game mechanics such as rewards, badges and leaderboards. What you need is your imagination.

 Application Recommendations;

Kahoot to engage students in the classroom

Classcraft for classroom management

Duolingo  for language learning

Drops  for vocabulary learning

Forest  for concentration

Habitica / Todoist for productivity

Tinycards / Quizlet  for learning with flashcards

TedEd / Coursera / Khan Academy for learning 

You can also read other contents in my blog for app recommendations :)

 Further Reading and Video Links;

https://trainingindustry.com/content/uploads/2017/07/enspire_cs_gamification_2016.pdf

https://www.investopedia.com/terms/g/gamification.asp

https://www.gamified.uk/user-types/gamification-mechanics-elements/

https://onedio.com/haber/ercan-altug-yilmaz-yazio-uzaktan-egitimi-yakinlastiran-oyun-ve-oyunlastirma-uygulamalari-983442

  FLIPGRID

Flipgrid is a social learning platform that allows educators to ask a question, then the students respond in a video. Students are then able to respond to one another, creating a “web” of discussion.
In the foreign language classrooms it can be used effectively for homeworks. In this way , students can practice their skill of speaking and improve their rhetoric.

                                                                                         

   PODCAST - A Midsummer Night's Dream


Hello everyone!
Did you read or watch A Midsummer Night's Dream by William Shakespeare ? If you didn't do so ,you can listen to my podcast of the summary of it . If you like the summary ,you should definetely read it ,too.I highly recommend it.

I posted my  podcast on Soundcloud.

                                 MACHINIMA

My friends and I made machinima .If you don't know what machinima is,
let me explain it simply.
Machinima  is the use of computer games  to create a cinematic production.

You should watch it !

         AUGMENTED REALITY  (AR)

What is AR ?

Augmented reality (AR) is an interactive experience of a real-world environment where the objects that reside in the real world are enhanced by computer-generated perceptual information, sometimes across multiple sensory modalities, including visual, auditory, haptic, somatosensory and olfactory.

I have tried AR  by a website named Xr+

You can visit the site .You don't have to dowload an app to experience augmented reality .
There are a lot of options but I chose the perfume bottle (I don't know why.)

 I needed todirect my camera to the pattern in order to view it.So I opened the item from my laptop and used my phone to view it.
As conclusion`;
Mission completed !









How AR can be used in foreign language classrooms ?

Like I have mentioned  in my VR post  , you can use AR in nearly the same way or mixed reality (combination AR and VR ).

I have found a video from YouTube about it.You can understand better via this video.

       BLACKBOARD

Blackboard Learn (previously the Blackboard Learning Management System) is a virtual learning environment and learning management system developed by Blackboard Inc.
Blackboard is a tool that allows faculty to add resources for students to access online. Powerpoint, Captivate, video, audio, animation, and other applications are created outside of Blackboard and added into Blackboard courses for students to enhance teaching and learning efforts.

             MOODLE

Moodle is an acronym for "Modular Object-Oriented Dynamic Learning Environment."It is a free and open-source learning management system (LMS) . Educators can use Moodle to create lessons, manage courses, and interact with teachers and students.