7 Ways to Reward the Brain

I was very impressed with the man's knowledge of the psychology of gaming and the way the brain responds to certain aspects of gaming.  Gaming is a hugely psychological concept.  I really appreciated the pie example.  He said if collecting fifteen pies, around thirteen the human brain gets frustrated and tired of looking.  The gaming industry understand this and ups the probability of finding the next pie.  I look forward to investigating further the way gamification can be used in the classroom!

The seven ways games reward the brain.

1. Experience bars measuring progress-"Are we there yet?!"  Yeah...how many times have we heard that?!  Children and adults alike always want to know how much more they lack.  Knowing how much further you have in an assignment is a big motivator.
2. Multiple long and short-term aims-Long-term goals would be like the essential question that is broad and will take a while to answer.  Short-term aims would be more representative of individual concept standards.
3. Rewards for effort-Who doesn't love getting recognition for a job well done?  Lower elementary teachers do a good job with treasure chest toys, stickers, dinner dates, ect.  I need to do a better job with my sixth grade students about giving rewards.  Maybe a gamification badge would be an option! 
4. Rapid, frequent, clear feedback-Students always need feedback.  If it isn't fast and clear though, you've wasted your time.  What good does it do knowing a student made a 57 on a test if they didn't know they made it until a week later?  Learning management systems that allow teachers to comment on students work are a great and easy way to give rapid feedback.
5. An element of uncertainty-This would be a reward that the student couldn't predict was coming.  A surprise.
6. Windows of enhanced attention-If a teacher can tap into a student's prime window of learning, can you imagine the possibilities?  
7. Other people!-Collaboration is a great way to bounce ideas off of each other and see different ways of thinking.  We are not all the same, and we all think differently.  We can learn so much from each other!