Leveling Up Sport Management Education: Gamification in the Classroom
Department
Exercise Science and Sport Management
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
8-12-2022
Abstract
In line with trends in sport management education that have encouraged a transition from traditional forms of passive and depersonalized learning to active and motivated learning, this essay draws on theoretical and applied insight to provide sport management educators with actionable information related to gamification. In educational contexts, gamification involves using game elements such as narratives, teams, and badges in the classroom as a way to support students’ intrinsic motivation and basic psychological needs (i.e., autonomy, competence, relatedness). This essay presents a case for gamification as a high-impact pedagogical approach that can help sport management educators replicate the global, complicated, and dynamic nature of the sport industry, thus creating more authentic, engaging, and influential experiences for students. Accordingly, this essay outlines gamification in education, discusses game elements and design, and provides a thorough description of a gamified sport psychology course. It concludes with future considerations and key takeaways for sport management educators.
Journal Title
Sport Management Education Journal
Journal ISSN
2163-2367
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
https://doi.org/10.1123/smej.2021-0019