Gamification: Where We Stand

The presentation discusses the concept of gamification, a method of incorporating game-like elements into non-game contexts, particularly in education and medicine. It began by highlighting common applications people may encounter, such as Duolingo and Kahoot, to illustrate that many are familiar with gamification even if they're not aware of the term. The speaker then outlines the differences between gamification and game-based learning, emphasizing the importance of intrinsic and extrinsic motivation in educational settings. Evidence suggests that gamification can improve student engagement, learning, and retention. In medical education, studies have shown that gamified approaches increase knowledge retention and decision-making skills among students. Despite limited formal research in specific areas like dermatology, there's recognition of its potential. A survey of members from the International Dermoscopy Society revealed that while many are unfamiliar with gamification, there is significant interest in learning more about it. The talk concludes by encouraging educators to embrace gamification in their teaching methods and highlights the positive experience of incorporating gaming elements to enhance motivation and enjoyment in learning.