Gamified lesson plan development with ELT pre-service teachers: A gamified google classroom experience

Abstract

With the advances in understanding contemporary instruction and the emphasis on online learning, alternative ways to keep instruction functional are sought constantly. Gamified environments are among the most widespread techniques used to enrich online instructional experiences due to motivation and engagement dimensions. In this context, the research aimed to investigate the experiences of pre-service English teachers in a gamified process. The study, which employed a mixed-method research design to collect data, included thirty-six pre-service English teachers who participated in an online gamified module created on Google Classroom. Participants were asked to complete a series of tasks and design a gamified lesson plan in the context of teaching English as a Foreign Language (EFL) as the final assignment of the module. Upon completion of the module, participants were administered an experience survey comprising scales and semi-structured interview questions. As a result, it was found that a great majority of the participants regarded this gamified experience as something entirely new and an enjoyable prospect. It was noted that such opportunities would improve their future professional lives since gamified content could increase motivation and engagement and serve as a great language learning tool for language classrooms.