With the return to classes after winter break, a concept is gaining special attention among students: "flow". This state of complete immersion in an activity, where the person feels fully absorbed and highly productive, can revolutionize the educational experience, increasing productivity and significantly improving students' well-being.
To achieve flow, it is essential to establish a solid foundation for the body and mind. Proper hydration, quality sleep, and correct breathing techniques are essential. According to Antonio de Nes, a performance specialist, once these basic needs are met, organizing the routine becomes crucial. Planning and prioritizing activities create a conducive environment for flow, facilitating deep concentration and immediate feedback on progress.
“Gamification, for example, is a strategy that aligns with the principles of flow, by transforming learning into a more dynamic and engaging experience. By incorporating clear goals, defined rules and constant feedback, gamification encourages students to delve deeper into the content in a pleasurable and productive way,” explains Antonio de Nes, performance specialist at Optness.
Research conducted in Brazil showed that professionals who underwent training based on the flow methodology increased their productivity and well-being by up to 44%, accumulating an average gain of 1,000 hours of work per year. Although these findings relate to the work environment, the principles can also be applied to the educational context.
For gamification to be effective, it is crucial to adjust the challenges according to the students' skill level. This prevents frustration with overly difficult tasks and boredom with very simple activities. By customizing challenges and creating an appropriate progression, it is possible to keep students engaged and in a state of flow, promoting more meaningful and satisfying learning.
Therefore, by applying techniques that promote flow, both in study planning and in the implementation of pedagogical methodologies such as gamification, it is possible to transform the educational process. This not only improves academic efficiency but also makes the learning experience more rewarding and engaging for students.
