Are you using the 80:20 Rule effectively to focus on matters that bring you your results (read goals). It applies to everything under the sun.

If you are not, switch to it.

In this finite lifetime, it will deliver infinitely more accomplishments and results!

In Parts 1 and 2 of this 3 part series, we looked at learning in the past and present. Go here (Part 2) and here (Part 1) to read them if you missed them.

In this concluding part, we will take a look at where the future of education and learning is headed. What is the next frontier?

Education is going through a revolution of sorts. While technology is driving a major part of that, it is also a complete rethink of mindset and motivations for learning. You could call it a huge paradigm shift.

The most exciting change that is beginning to occur currently and will paint the future of learning is gamification.

Are you a gaming buff? Have you ever played video or other digital games? Either on your computer, in one of those customized consoles in parlors or increasingly, on your smartphone? Even if you have sworn yourself to be anti-games, you may be missing something huge that is happening.

Recent brain research has revealed that gaming improves creativity, decision making and perception. Those who indulge in games (digital, video, on your smartphone to name a few) have productivity and creativity boosts not seen in even dedicated brain boosting activities.

Why? Because, to begin with, a video or digital game or for that matter, just a game in itself, relaxes the brain phenomenally (it almost seems a mindless exercise, pun intended!) and a relaxed brain is the abode of ideas and inspiration.

Next, unlike the mindless activity thought process, a game actually is a fantastic simulation of activities that you probably will never get to experience. Imagine indulging in a inter galactic invasion game in reality! So, a game is the closest you will come to living that imagined world.

Remember what Albert Einstein said: "Imagination is more important than knowledge."

Finally, there is a certain storytelling aspect to a game that makes the activity interesting. There is a beginning, a middle part and an end to the game story that stimulates the brain.  

Research has proven that storytelling causes what is known as "vicarious experience."This simply means that the person listening to the story is transported to a place, time or situation that they probably will not experience in real life, is inherently curious, dangerous, exciting, rewarding and so forth. In fact, studies show that when the audience watches a terrible accident in a movie, they go through the same or similar traumatic experience (this is the vicarious part) that the characters in the accident go through. This is what makes storytelling captivating.

But why am I telling you this?

The future of learning (and already it has begun to make its appearance sporadically) is amongst other things, moving towards gamification of instruction design.

Research is uncovering the tremendous value in treating a learning session as a game. One of the biggest obstacles for learning is the absence of motivation. A game on the other hand effortlessly provides this motivation because you do not get the feeling that you are learning. Instead, you are having fun and enjoying yourself. What more of a brilliant, inspirational canvas do you need for the generation of ideas and a generous dose of energy? It is magical.

What is gamification?

In his landmark book, Gamification of Learning and Instruction, Karl M Kapp, scholar, writer and expert on the convergence of learning, technology and business operations defines gamification as follows:

"Gamification is using game-based mechanics, aesthetics and game thinking to engage people, motivate action, promote learning, and solve problems."

Game-based techniques or gamification, when employed properly, have the power to engage, inform, and educate says the author.  

The Mechanics  

So, what does gamification actually entail?

To begin with, it converts an entire learning session into a game. Let me give you an example.

Suppose you wish to learn business concepts - in particular, running a business, earning revenues, incurring expenses and retaining profits.

Instead of trying to teach you the major concepts and practices of running a business (and risk losing your interest forever in that endeavor), imagine playing a game where you are the owner of a hot dog stand or even one of those mobile food stalls criss crossing New York City and you actually are taken through activities, decisions, actions, choices of running that hot dog stand or food stall with simulated money.

You are paying for setting up the stall in which process your cash resources decrease, you then make the hot dog or food item which you then sell to your customer (with possibly different scenarios like a day of brisk sales, low sales, no sales and so forth).

You get to do things, confront decision choices, use money, earn money and so forth. It is a complete living of the experience of running a business as opposed to reading about it. It is doing versus reading about and the pay offs in learning are enormous. And the brain just loves that "doing" aspect of the game. There is no stress on you. You are actually enjoying yourself.

If you take a close look at the reams and reams of drab, colorless, soporific tomes that go by the name of study text books and which you as a student hate wading through, this is nirvana! Learning now actually can be fun! And for sure, your excited brain is not complaining. 

The next time you see children engrossed in video or other games, don't try to dissuade them.