- In Southern Africa, the pandemic prompted a swift shift towards blended learning.
- According to an article by Games Industry Africa, data released from Newzoo and Carry1st reveals that Sub-Saharan Africa is one of the fastest-growing mobile gaming regions globally.
- In education, gamification can turn learning into a game-like experience by introducing rewards for completing assignments, earning badges for mastering concepts, or creating a competitive leaderboard to encourage participation.
The COVID-19 pandemic drastically altered the global education landscape. Consequently, it pushed educators to innovate rapidly and adapt to new modes of teaching and learning. In Southern Africa, the pandemic prompted a swift shift towards blended learning. This involved a combination of in-person and online education, as schools and universities temporarily closed their physical doors. The need to ensure continuity in education while minimizing the risks of virus transmission drove this unprecedented change in the education sector. Among the various approaches adopted during this period, e-learning emerged as a powerful tool with the potential to revolutionize education in Southern Africa. As such, the region’s education sector can harness the power of gamification to shape a brighter future for its students.
State of mobile gaming and subscriptions in Southern Africa
Mobile gaming
According to an article by Games Industry Africa, data released from Newzoo and Carry1st reveals that Sub-Saharan Africa is one of the fastest-growing mobile gaming regions globally.
The report shows total gamer numbers in Sub-Saharan Africa grew from 77 to 186 million people between 2015 and 2021. This rapid growth was accelerated by increasing digitization, as well as the COVID-19 pandemic, and is largely driven by mobile gaming. Over 95 per cent of gamers across the region play on a smartphone or tablet, as opposed to consoles and computers. Among the countries in the region, South Africa boasts the highest number of gamers. The country has a substantial 24 million people participating, constituting 40 per cent of its population.
Mobile subscriptions
Data released by mobile industry insights company Global System for Mobile Communications (GSMA) showed that by the end of 2021, 5.3 billion people had subscribed to mobile services, representing 67 per cent of the global population.
The survey showed mobile phone subscribers stood at 46 per cent in Sub-Saharan Africa, while smartphone adoption was at 64 per cent. This is expected to grow to 50 per cent and 75 per cent respectively by 2025.
“By the end of 2020, 495 million people subscribed to mobile services in Sub-Saharan Africa, representing 46 per cent of the region’s population – an increase of almost 20 million from 2019.With more than 40 per cent of the region’s population under the age of 15, young consumers owning a mobile phone for the first time will remain the primary source of growth for the foreseeable future. There will be around 120 million new subscribers by 2025, taking the total number of subscribers to 615 million (50 per cent of the region’s population),” the report stated.
What is gamification?
Gamification is an approach that involves incorporating elements commonly found in games into non-game contexts to enhance engagement, motivation, and participation. These game elements can include points, badges, challenges, leaderboards, rewards, and storytelling, among others.
In education, gamification can turn learning into a game-like experience by introducing rewards for completing assignments, earning badges for mastering concepts, or creating a competitive leaderboard to encourage participation.
Gamification has gained popularity across a wide range of fields because it can make traditionally mundane or challenging tasks more appealing and interactive. It harnesses the power of play and competition to drive positive behaviors and outcomes, ultimately making activities more engaging and rewarding for participants.
Potential for gamification to reshape Southern African education
Raising education engagement
One of the primary advantages of gamification in education is its ability to capture and sustain students’ attention. Traditional teaching methods often struggle to engage students effectively, leading to disinterest. Gamified learning experiences, on the other hand, leverage the innate human desire for competition, achievement, and recognition. Through elements such as points, badges, leaderboards, and rewards, students become more motivated to participate actively in their education.
According to an article by TAO Testing published on December 22, 2022, more often than not, teachers teach a large number of lessons in a unit before giving a cumulative test that gauges understanding. The problem with this model is that there is minimal context for the learning throughout the unit and students are only given one opportunity to succeed at the end. Gamification changes that.
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Gamification in education allows tailored learning paths
A classroom is a diverse place with students of varying abilities and backgrounds. Gamification allows for personalized learning experiences, enabling students to progress at their own pace. Adaptive gamified systems can adjust the difficulty level of tasks and provide additional support to struggling students while offering challenges to those who excel. According to an article by eLearning Industry published on November 15, 2021, reflecting on personalized performance helps students identify and track their progress. It is a good way for learners to self-assess what they’ve learned, predict the outcomes of future behavior, and see how far they need to go to succeed. This individualized approach can help bridge educational gaps and ensure that no student is left behind.
Gamification develops skills beyond academics
According to an article by ThirdRock Techno, game-based learning encourages critical thinking and problem-solving skills through the incorporation of challenging puzzles, quests, and decision-making scenarios. It prompts learners to analyze situations, evaluate options, and make informed choices, developing their cognitive abilities and logical reasoning skills.
For instance, collaborative online games can foster teamwork and communication, while complex game scenarios can promote critical thinking and decision-making. By integrating these elements into the education system, Southern Africa can produce well-rounded individuals ready to face the challenges of the modern world.
Quality education access
In many parts of Southern Africa, access to quality education remains limited, especially in rural and remote areas. Gamification, delivered through digital platforms and mobile apps, can help bridge this gap. With the increasing availability of affordable smartphones and internet connectivity, gamified educational content can reach even the most underserved communities. This not only democratizes access to education but also reduces the region’s reliance on traditional, resource-intensive teaching methods.
Valuable data-driven insights
Gamification platforms collect valuable data on student performance and behavior. Therefore, educators can use this data to gain insights into student strengths and weaknesses, allowing for targeted interventions. It also helps in continuously improving the gamified learning experiences, making them more effective over time. Data-driven decision-making can enhance the overall quality of education in the region.
While gamification holds immense potential for Southern Africa’s education sector, there are challenges to overcome. Adequate infrastructure, teacher training, and content development are necessary to ensure successful implementation.
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