Jill Lager’s Updates

Differentiation through Gamification: Spotlight "Freckle"

I have become more and more interested in learning about gamification and a growing interest in how and if it has positive effects on students learning.  I have been teaching for around 10 years now and I have yet to find an online game that not only keeps the engagement of my students, but also provides them with review or reteaching on subject matter that is engaging as well.  

Recently, our district has looked at adopting a new math curriculum.  With the curriculum that they purchased comes with an online learning platform that not only ties into the curricuum but also our testing.  This platform is called "Freckle" 

Freckle is much like a lot of learning game sites that I have used in the past, such as Prodigy, Moby Max, Dreambox, and Splashlearn.

In Freckle, with the free version, students can be assigned 1 assignment a day, and they can be assigned either an ELA or Math assignment.  The teacher recieves data based on how the student did on their assignments.  

Below are two graphics taken from their website explaining the benefits for both Math and English Language Arts. 

 

Students can start out by taking a benchmark test, or you as the educator an level them based on what grade level they are currently working on, or can see success at.  

As the student complete assignments (by you) or works on content (not assigned), they earn coins for a shop.  

I have found that the easier it is to earn coins or the less work they have to do, the more interest they have in the game.  A teacher can set up how easy or hard it is in Freckle to earn coins and how often a student can shop after working on lessons.  

Overall, the greatest benefit I have found for all gaming sites, especially Freckle is that noone knows what level each person is working at.  Each student can work at their own level, as they are all working on different questions.  They are all earning coins and enjoying the conversations around their success in that versus worrying about comparing themselves.  I do enjoy Freckle for the reason that it only builds the self confidence of the learner.