Learning Through Play

The concept of gamification has been widely discussed since around the 2010s. Today, games surround us everywhere, and we don't even realize that we are playing throughout our lives, regardless of age or social status.

Think this doesn't apply to you? Then answer a few questions for yourself:

• Have you ever collected stickers for purchases in supermarkets?
• Do you accumulate airline miles?
• Do you monitor traffic fines to get a discount for early payment?
• Do you hunt for that "tenth free" cup of coffee?

If you answered yes to at least one of these questions, you are a player!

Why is gamification taking root so well in our country? We live in a state that existed under socialism for seven decades. GTO badges, the challenge red banner, the wall of honor — all of this is familiar to us from childhood, and to the younger generation through the stories of their elders.

Today, gaming is the most popular method of communication; it is the space of thinking youth. It is very important to choose the right format for the game! One of the main aspects of classic games is competition. But educational games are a different story. Pitting players against each other and making them competitors is not necessary, and sometimes even harmful. Therefore, let's take a closer look at the advantages of a quiz, or in other words, an intellectual trivia game:

1. Engaging and educational pastime — helps build self-belief and develop leadership qualities, teaches teamwork, boosts confidence, and enhances general knowledge;
2. Affordable and accessible — organizing it is inexpensive, and a so-called "brain-system" (buzzer system) can be bought cheaply at any online marketplace;
3. Modern and trendy — intellectual entertainment is currently trending, it is useful and never gets boring;
4. A surge of positive emotions — the game lifts the mood and dispels the blues;
5. A hobby that unites groups and teams — fun joint activities strengthen interpersonal relationships;
6. New acquaintances and useful connections — during the game, you can easily and naturally build contacts with people or make new friends;
7. Gifts for the winners — who doesn't love prizes?

In accordance with the above, the format of the legendary intellectual TV game "Brain Ring" was chosen to test HSE knowledge in an engaging atmosphere. The game, as an important element in training future oil and gas industry specialists, allowing them to consolidate theoretical knowledge in practice and develop necessary professional skills, has become a good tradition for students in St. Petersburg. For the third year now, this event has gathered the best graduating students from the Center for Secondary Vocational Education of the St. Petersburg State Institute of Technology (Technical University) (hereinafter referred to as SPSIT(TU)).

The permanent organizer of the event is Larisa Kirillova, a representative of the employer company Gazprom Pererabotka LLC, with the support of the United Primary Trade Union Organization (OPPO) Gazprom Pererabotka Trade Union.

In total, 15 teams have participated in the tournaments during this time; all of them worthily withstood the rounds of the game, united, and demonstrated their unique approaches to solving problems.

Would you like to play a quiz?