Gamification in Physical Education
Engaging Strategies to Produce Meaningful Learning Experiences
Testimonials
"The course was great. The feedback and learning modules would help any educator turn content into games. Anytime we do this in PE class, the students are more motivated and attentive." - Tim B.
"I loved this course and feel I can implement it immediately. The instructor provided great resources in many different forms as well as feedback along the way. Our final assignment allowed us to create a resource which we will be able to utilize with our students. It is a great way to motivate students, tie outcomes to standards and assess, as well as allow implement self-directed instruction." Ryan S.
"This course is one of the better online courses. I have given talks to teachers at technology conferences about PBL in a wellness setting and yet had only a small inkling of gamification. This course by Coach Ginicola was a perfect hands on introduction that makes me confident that I will be able to successfully implement elements of gamification in my classroom." Eric S.
"Mike was very helpful and had a lot of examples of how to incorporate gamification into your classroom. I am already using these techniques in my classes and my students are loving it!" Heather H.
What is Gamification?
"The gamification of learning is an educational approach to motivate students to learn by borrowing the best parts of video and board games and applying them to lessons and activities."
Welcome!
PE Central and Human Kinetics Professional Development
Target Audience
This course is designed for K-12 physical educators looking for a fun and engaging way to help students take control of their own learning by using gamification. It can be used for all subject areas at any level.
Course Purpose
The purpose of this course is to explore what gamification is, why it’s so powerful, and demonstrate various ways in which to use it in physical education at any level, both with or without technology. Learners will discover how to create gamified activities, lessons or full units, and many resources will be provided.
Course Description
This course is designed to teach the student how to better engage learners by using gamification in their PE lessons. The student will explore what elements make something “gamified,” and how to easily create and incorporate them into activities, lessons, or units. Students will learn about the common misconceptions of gamification, and why this often-misunderstood method of teaching can be powerful, especially for those learners who don’t often engage or participate fully with physical education class content. The student will discover how intrinsic and extrinsic motivations work, and how gamification can foster a growth mindset towards learning. Students will learn how to use gamification as fun, non-threatening built-in assessment for physical education class content where students get to use choice and voice in their learning. Students will get to view gamified lesson content samples that are already in use by teachers around the world.
Course Goals
On completion of this course, learners will:
- be able to explain what gamification is, and why it’s a powerful way to engage students.
- have explored how to use gamification as an assessment tool.
- understand how to maximize student engagement and foster a growth mindset culture.
- gain the competence and confidence to create their own gamified activities, lessons, units, or even full-year themes.
- receive a host of valuable lesson samples/resources to use in their classes.
Reading Materials
All reading materials will be available on the internet as articles or from files to be downloaded within the course module.
Technology Needed to Complete
You will need a computer and/or tablet, Google Slides, Microsoft Word or Google Docs, a Google account with Google Drive (optional but very helpful), and a Twitter account (optional but very helpful). You will also need a valid email address to contact the instructor or turn in materials.
Course Design/Schedule
We have estimated this course will take approximately 7 clock hours to complete. Of course this will vary with every learner. Since the course will take approximately 7 hours you could apply for 7 professional development hours from your school/school district. Make sure to check with your principal or professional development coordinator to see how this works in your district.
Students can start and complete assignments any time they wish. You will have an instructor that you can contact via email for help, and you will turn in some of your assignments via email to your mentor. Your instructor will communicate with you via email. The instructor will also review most of your work to make sure you are making the appropriate progress. You will not earn a letter grade from this course.
Standards: Source: SHAPE America National Standards for K-12 Physical Education (2016)
Standard 1 - The physically literate individual demonstrates competency in a variety of motor skills and movement patterns.
Standard 2 - The physically literate individual applies knowledge of concepts, principles, strategies and tactics related to movement and performance.
Standard 3 - The physically literate individual demonstrates the knowledge and skills to achieve and maintain a health-enhancing level of physical activity and fitness.
Standard 5 - The physically literate individual recognizes the value of physical activity for health, enjoyment, challenge, self-expression and/or social interaction.
Your Instructor
Mike Ginicola has taught K-6 health and physical education for 20 years, and was the 2016 recipient of the CT PTA Teacher of the Year Award and CTAHPERD Outstanding Program Award recipient. He was the 2017 recipient of the national American Heart Association/SHAPE grant and award. He was also the 2016-17 community champion award winner for his school district. He’s currently serving on the board for CTAHPERD. He’s presented nationally on gamification and shared its power on the “Global Voxcast” and “Under the PE Umbrella” podcasts.
Check out Frequently Asked Questions Here!