Both gamification and game-based teaching offer powerful ways to make learning more active, motivating, and meaningful for students. Gamification uses elements of games, such as goals, feedback and rewards, to reinforce existing learning activities, whereas game-based teaching uses the game itself as a learning environment in which students develop knowledge and skills through simulation, systems thinking and collaboration. Both approaches share the same ambition: to make learning more interactive and autonomous, with a focus on experience, motivation and engagement, and providing a safe space to practice and make mistakes.
The two ECHO teaching tips below, which have been previously published, offer concrete dos and don'ts, inspiring examples and practical tools for thoughtfully integrating game elements or entire games into your teaching practice. Let yourself be inspired and discover how you can bring more playfulness, energy, and depth to your lessons through small or larger interventions.