How did you get into game-based learning?
Our brain captures things better when we play games, when we have fun. That’s where the idea of using games for education comes in. We create 3D models in Minecraft, a videogame series, and make leaderboards. Students learn better because visual learning helps them understand things better. During an unplanned session with my teacher in Class V, I learned about Minecraft, and when I went home, I saw its PC edition on my laptop. I remembered that my teacher had talked about it, and so I started playing. Later, my parents got me the educational edition, where I started building my lessons. Being able to see the problems faced by my peers in understanding concepts, and being able to change the educational routine of memorising to visual learning, I stumbled upon the idea of gamification.
You’re just 14, but you have trained hundreds of teachers from other regions and countries as well in educational gamification using Minecraft and STEM. Tell us about that.
It has been a learning experience, because to teach others, I have to learn - how to be kind, understand how they learn, and teach according to their pace. Not everyone learns at the same pace, and I have to adapt to their speed. I also became more confident. I see the difference between the very first session I conducted, and the sessions I conduct now. I used to be very formal in those days, but now I am a bit more comfortable.
Girls are often questioned for taking up gaming. What are your views on that?
Initially, lots of people asked me why I played video games, being a girl. I proved them wrong by building these lessons and displaying them. When I saw that not many girls are into these fields, I started my own club, “Girls in STEM”, wherein I taught them how to use certain tools not only to learn but also to create awareness that everyone can get into these fields. Games have nothing to do with gender. Everyone can game.
Have you faced any challenges so far?
I haven’t faced many challenges except for the view that girls can’t game. But I just ignored them. I wasn’t silent. When I had to speak out my mind, I did, but calmly. I have never been rude, though. You must never give up hope and always strive for more. Your focus must be on reality.
You are a recipient of the Bal Shakti Puraskar 2018.
On January 25, 2018, I was given the award by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. That day had a surreal feel to it. It was amazing to hear my name being announced and meet him. I got it in the Innovation Category for creating lessons in Minecraft and making classrooms more interactive. I was also recognised for teaching several teachers in game-based learning.
Many parents feel games distract children from studies. What are your thoughts?
Playing is not necessarily bad, but prolonged playing is not good. I set a proper schedule, where I dedicate ample time for studies, and time for playing as well. Priorities need to be set. Homework, extra-curricular activities, chores given by your parents come first. Then you won’t be stopped from playing. Taking breaks is also important.
You run a video channel called Technocrat. Tell us about that.
I started my channel in 2019. I started posting tutorials on how to use tech tools. In my podcast “Each one Teach Ten: A Beautiful World of STEM”, I invite people all over the world who use STEM tools to engage students in the classroom.
What are your plans for the future?
I want to set up an educational gamification start-up.
The Hindu (SE) 07.07.2021
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