Game On: Unlocking the Power of Gamification
On 28th September 2024, ACM DBIT hosted an online session with Dr. Shekhar Trivedi, a renownedexpert in gamification and professor at GHS-IMR. The session introduced participants to the conceptof gamification in education, as well as provided a foundation for those unfamiliar with Teknack,ACM’s annual game development festival. With over 500 educators trained globally, Dr. Trivedi has developed unique tools such as Mall-O-Mania and Blot on the Pride, which bring educational concepts to life in an engaging manner. He holds a Ph.D., an MBA, and has completed an advanced program from UC Berkeley.
The session began at 11:30 a.m. with Tanisha Raorane (Vice Chairperson, ACM-DBIT), introducing Dr. Shekar Trivedi to the audience. Dr. Trivedi then took to the stage explaining how he has explored the vast potential of gamification in different fields. He emphasized on the definition of gamification which is the application of game mechanics in a non-game / real context to promote desired behaviour and drive learning outcomes. He shared his experiences in applying gamification to energy conservation and mall management. He spoke about his creation of a game that helps students understand the intricacies of mall fundamentals, including retail mix and layout planning. Throught his game, he emphasized how essential it is to follow basic principles to achieve desired outcomes.
During the session, Dr. Trivedi also discussed the possibility of developing interactive dashboards and games to promote energy-saving behaviours, particularly in cities like Indore, which are keen on reducing carbon emissions. He expressed his excitement about the future of gamification when integrated with technologies like artificial intelligence and its ability to enhance learning experiences.
Throughout his presentation, Dr. Trivedi utilized videos to illustrate and explain his ideas more effectively. These videos helped attendees grasp how gamification could make subjects more engaging and relatable, showcasing practical applications of the concept. As part of the conversation, Dr. Trivedi was asked whether these concepts could be applied to Teknack, ACM's upcoming technical event. Andre Fernandes (Product Designer) from the ACM team proposed gamifying the event, and while Dr. Trivedi showed interest, he pointed out that it would require more time and detailed planning to fully implement. He also suggested applying gamification to a competition that ACM is organizing, though further discussions would be needed to flesh out the details.
The session also saw active participation from the audience, with questions posed by both the students and faculty of DBIT. B.S. Chavan, a mechanical engineering student, asked for clarification on a matrix presented by Dr. Trivedi, seeking to optimize multivariate variables in product development.
Although Dr. Trivedi admitted this was beyond his technical expertise, he offered to explore the matter further. Later, a discussion ensued between Dr. Trivedi and Dr. Amiya Tripathy on the potential of microlearning combined with gamification to improve student engagement in educational settings.
The session wrapped up with Ms. Priya Kaul collecting any remaining queries for further discussion with Dr. Trivedi. Erica Prasad (Admin Head) of the ACM core team, thanked Dr. Trivedi for his insightful presentation, which was met with positive feedback from the attendees, especially the professors present. Dr. Trivedi expressed his gratitude and encouraged everyone to continue exploring the exciting potential of gamification in education.
