HEURISTIC 5/10
Make it fun and silly
OVERVIEW
When a learning experience is light-hearted and makes students joke and laugh, they don't see it as a chore and would willingly come back to it.
A fun environment also lowers stakes, which matters because students should learn that perfectionism is never the goal. We all make mistakes, learn, and get better.
Recommendations
RECOMMENDATION 1
Do not make the learning goal explicit right away
SIGNIFICANCE
- •Students have a stigma against educational games/anything a teacher or parent wants them to do
- •Students need a mental break from the constant schoolwork and grade-oriented mindset
RECOMMENDATION 2
Give students an opportunity to laugh and make jokes
SIGNIFICANCE
- •This makes the experience more memorable
- •Playfulness strengthens the bond students have with their friends
RECOMMENDATION 3
Help students be okay with failing
SIGNIFICANCE
- •Students need to reframe setbacks and failures as stepping stones to success
- •Providing different avenues and choices to succeed is a safety net from failing
- •It's important that students who aren't getting good grades are not less respected