Gaming has been around for decades. Although you may not automatically assume it has the potential to develop and improve brain function, the facts bear out the evidence. Currently, 76% of young people (under 18) are gamers. The gamification market will witness a YOY growth of 21.68% in 2022 and reach over $27 billion by 2026. Augmented reality’s gamification feature feeds into this trend because it promotes higher engagement and interest and makes the process of knowledge acquisition effortless. Gamification is a powerful tool that can leverage the mindset of young people and the unique power of games to sustain interest and build commitment. Gamification Psychology seeks to understand and influence behavior through gaming methods. Studies indicate the brain works in harmony with gamification and triggers the release of dopamine, which imparts an increased feeling of motivation and enjoyment. What’s the mutually beneficial outcome when the brain and games collide with education? 1. Evolved Emotional Connection - Gamification creates an emotional connection between content and students. It grabs their attention which accelerates the learning process. 2. Enhanced Long-Term Memory - Gamification stimulates the hippocampus, which promotes the storage of new information into long-term memory. 3. Improved Attention Span - Dopamine, a neurotransmitter linked with learning and memory, is also released from the hippocampus, which assists in maintaining focus. 4. Reduced Stress - Games can reduce depression and hostile feelings in players through mood management. As well, endorphins, the body’s natural painkiller, are released during play which lower stress and anxiety levels and promote a sense of euphoria. 5. Decreased Cognitive Overload - Gamification's challenge-based format breaks down material into segments that are easy to retain. 6. Stories Take Precedence - The brain processes stories more effectively vs. a bundle of facts. Gamification employs this strategy to include storytelling elements such as background, characters, and plot twists. Gamification can play an important role to increase engagement and student performance. Books that incorporate augmented reality, an element of Tomestic’s Organic Living Book, will naturally create excitement and stimulate reader attention, especially one that links gaming with a social platform which fulfills our vision of building a reader-centric community. What’s your take on linking gamification with education? Is it a viable solution to capture the imagination of students? How could an individual benefit from interacting with a book’s characters, author and the reading community with the assistance of technology? Read more about our solution to engage long-term memory and improve learning retention at tomestic.com. #gamificationoflearning #educationtechnology #augmentedreality #futurefocused