Tools

The "Tools" section has been edited. New web platforms have been added from the following web site: http://www.centrocp.com/juego-serio-gamificacion-aprendizaje/. The information written on the blog about the different platforms corresponds to the information that appears in each of the web platforms. For seeing the platforms' web sites you can go to the links on each web platform name. The information added to the blog is the following one: Web platforms allow to monitors what student do when working on computers or other technological resource. They are a good option for controlling in an automatic and continuous way the gamification processes of an activity. Some gamification platforms are: 

Classcraft: It uses quests, teachers can include the content and learning activities of the year in interactive maps, allowing students to choose an adventure experience on which they can work and learn about. Students play in teams and earn points for positive behaviors, unlocking powers and customization options for their avatars. Parents can also participate in this learning at home.

ClassDojo: it is specific for the educational field. It is also free. Its aim it is to create a community by putting in contact students, teachers and parents. Children can show what they can do by uploading photos and videos of their work to their folders. Also, photos and videos can be shared with parents so their compromise with their children’s education becomes higher.

TeachThough: It has objective materials for improving the teaching in class and talks about all aspects of gamification. It is perfect if you want to know about both sides of teaching using gamification in class. 

Ribbon Hero 2: Is an excellent educational game for learning how to use Office 2007 and 2010. As you have more points, you can unlock prizes. Its objective is to learn to work with office while you have fun. As you work with Word, Excel and Powerpoint and use more functions like adding bold text or finding text, you can earn more points. You would have to create tables and calculate averages in excel, change the direction of the text and put some effects in Powerpoint, and add margins or modify the dictionary in Word.

World Peace Game: It’s a simulation of a political situation that invite students to explore a world that isn’t so different from the one we read in the newspapers. According to its web page: “It offers players the opportunity to explore the connectedness of the global community through the lens of the economic, social, and environmental crises and the imminent threat of war. The goal of the game is to extricate each country from dangerous circumstances and achieve global prosperity with the least amount of military intervention. As “nation teams”, students will gain greater understanding of the critical impact of information and how it is used. Beliefs and values will evolve or completely unravel as they begin to experience the positive impact and windows of opportunity that emerge through effective collaboration and refined communication”.

Zombie-Based Learning: for scaping from the world apocalypse, the only way to escape from zombies is by knowing perfectly the geography. There are ten units, and approximately 75 hours of instruction. Each of the units covers one of the 2012 National Geography Standards. According to the web site: “The ZBL narrative follows the different stages of the zombie outbreak: pre-planning, the outbreak, after the outbreak, survival, resettlement and rebuilding society. Students apply the knowledge and critical thinking that meets geography standards instead of just memorizing maps and capitols. The goal is to practice higher order thinking skills and think like a geographer”.

Goalbook Pathways: a good program to create our own game. It combines the research resources, strategies, and training so that educators can design multiple pathways for all students to succeed, including the ones that struggle learning. It offers different pathways for different students. It empowers teachers to take control of their learning within their own classrooms and transforms instruction so that all students succeed.

Socrative: it allows the teacher to create tools for tablets and smartphones. With your choice of activity type, you can engage your students as learning happens. Launch a quiz, receive exit tickets, or ask a quick question for instant student feedback.

Captain Up: learn about gamification by playing. This site allows us to live the gamification experience from the point of view of a gamified individual. As it is said in this web site: “Captain Up maximizes user engagement and lifetime value, using gamification, social and communication tools. From frontend to back office, Captain Up blends the best of gamification and behavioral psychology”. 

Open Badges: it’s a free initiative of Mozilla Foundation. Its aim is to recognise, by using digital badges and medal, the knowledge acquired by a person in different formal and informal moments and situations.