A gamificação como estratégia pedagógica : estudo de elementos dos games aplicados em processos de ensino e aprendizagem

Abstract

The problem that guides this research is to investigate the potentialities that gamification can unleash when applied to teaching and learning processes. Based on this research, some pointers on pedagogical strategies that can meet some demands of digital learning environments are thought. To meet this proposal, it was decided to conduct a literature research in order to conduct a dialogue between the consulted references and this researcher’s arguments, because gamification is a fairly recent phenomenon, which does not have any academic foundations yet. First, it was necessary to conceptualize and define the emerging phenomenon of gamification from recent, and still scarce, publications available. For this, the games phenomenon was analyzed as complex systems, broken down into interrelated elements. After, it was described and analyzed an experience of use of gamification in a learning environment from a report written and documented by an American professor. To analyze this report, and also the phenomenon of gamification, it was used assumptions of socio-historical perspective and Vygotsky’s studies about the process of teaching and learning related to the concept of the Zone of Proximal Development. Then, arguments were constructed to explain the emergence of gamification and to justify its possible uses in the context of individuals of the digital culture. Finally, it was listed some possible indicators to guide teaching strategies from gamification propositions, in order to enhance teaching and learning processes involved in these strategies.