Credit: (2026). Teams competing for prize. Freepik.
Incorporating a competitive element into your gamification efforts can be a fun and effective method for enhancing learners' motivation. However, adding a competitive, yet friendly, aspect to the learning process needs to be intentional and short term. To maintain balance, strive to incorporate games that include both competitive and cooperative aspects. The goal of any educational game should maintain a strong focus on the content.
A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) requires group members to commit to the terms of the MOU and can help prevent conflicts among group members. A good MOU can help define individuals’ roles and expected responsibilities, and it can include a communication plan to identify a schedule and the ways in which group members will communicate (Canvas, Zoom, etc.). Additionally, an MOU can include a code of conduct for the group, which might include the following:
Using small group projects helps students develop skills in the areas of communication, critical thinking, and collaboration, which are transferable socially and professionally. Small group work can also improve students’ understanding of course material and increase their confidence. Unfortunately, many students dread group projects because of past negative experiences with unclear expectations, unequal participation of group members, and/or lack of support and guidance.
Engaging students in class discussions and activities is always a challenging endeavor for instructors because there is no one-size-fits-all approach that will work to draw in everyone. Students will have varying degrees of interest in the topic, and not everyone will be able to find the same degree of relevance in the concepts presented.
