New China school system rewards diligent pupils with ‘digital pets’ to motivate them

A new system in Chinese schools encourages hard study by awarding students “digital pets,” like miniature pigs and dogs.

Photo: SCMP composite/Sohu Chinese secondary schoolteachers have introduced a new way of motivating pupils by awarding them “digital pets” that they can adopt online.

The move has gained widespread attention and support.

Recently, primary and secondary schoolteachers across China introduced an innovative “class pet-raising programme” in which pupils earn points for good behaviour to “feed” and nurture virtual pets.

A school pupil uses an interactive screen to choose his digital pet.

Photo: baijiahao.baidu.com At the start of the new school semester, Liu Qianqian, a class head teacher at Hangzhou Shenglan Middle School, Zhejiang province in southeastern China, decided to assign a virtual pet to each of her 35 pupils.

The platform has 46 types of pets to choose from.

In addition to common animals like cats, dogs, pigs and ducks, it also features more unusual options such as mini pigs, Samoyeds, and sugar gliders. “I used a free platform that allows each student to choose a pet they like.

They can earn points through their performance at school to feed and upgrade their pets.

It both motivates learning and feels very therapeutic,” Liu told Zhejiang Daily Press Group.

The approach builds on a similar system she used last semester, when pupils earned points to exchange for snacks by completing tasks such as finishing homework early, taking part in classroom cleaning or helping classmates.

The online platform allows pupils to choose from an array of virtual pets, above.

Photo: baijiahao.baidu.com This semester, she refined the system by allowing students to use points to raise “digital pets”. “It is more interactive and the students find it more fun,” she said.

The pets have eight levels, each with a different form.

Pupils earn points to feed and upgrade their pets.

For instance, they can earn one point for excellent homework or praise from teachers, two points for helping classmates and five points for acts of honesty such as returning lost items.

Primary school pupils busy in a classroom in China.

Teachers say the scheme is producing academic results.

Photo: Shutterstock Points can also be deducted for poor behaviour.

Liu said that among the pupils, those who love animals are the most excited about the scheme. “At this age, many pupils love pets.

Some already have cats at home, while others want one but do not have the ti

原文链接: 南华早报