The Brain's Cheat Codes: Learning Through Gamification | Mohamed Ali | TEDxAjou U Tashkent
Can games unlock our brain’s full learning potential? In this dynamic talk, the speaker explores how gamification can supercharge education by turning lessons into engaging, brain-boosting challenges. Discover how game mechanics like rewards, levels, and storytelling can transform classrooms—and why tapping into our brain’s "cheat codes" might be the key to deeper learning and motivation. It all started in 2017, when I was a twelve year old child. We had just landed in Türkiye due to my traveler family, a land of captivating history and vibrant culture. Yet, a language barrier stood between me and the world around me. Feeling isolated and quite bored, I found myself drawn to the familiar glow of my father's old computer. In a quest for virtual adventures, I stumbled upon Code.org, a website that promised to unlock the secrets of coding. Little did I know, it would be the spark that ignited a lifelong passion for technology.Those first blocks of code were like magic spells, weaving digital worlds into existence. I devoured the introductory courses on Code.org, collecting certificates with childlike pride. Each challenge solved fueled a burning curiosity – what else could this code create? This newfound fascination propelled me to delve deeper, to unravel the mysteries behind the ones and zeros that powered the digital world. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx
More from TED
- 10:08Why social anxiety isn’t the end | Mariana Bento | TEDxTES YouthLiving with anxiety doesn’t mean living without hope. What we often call “shy” or “quiet” can be something deeper—something that shapes not only our actions, but our sense of self. But what if anxiety isn’t a flaw to fix, but a part of being human to understand? With the right tools, a bit of compassion, and the courage to show up anyway, even the most overwhelming moments can become manageable. And maybe, they can lead us somewhere stronger. Mariana Bento is an 11th grade student This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx
- 12:00No estoy sola, y tú tampoco | Maria Paula Rodriguez | TEDxTES Youth¿Y si el miedo no fuera un enemigo, sino una señal de que necesitamos cuidado? Nos enseñaron a ocultarlo, a callarlo, a resistir… como si sentir fuera una debilidad. Pedir ayuda no es rendirse, es un acto de valentía. Aceptar nuestras emociones no nos rompe, nos revela. Porque ser fuerte no es cargarlo todo en silencio, sino reconocer que no tenemos que hacerlo solos. Maria Paula is a psychologist. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx
- 14:58Empathy is not what you think — and that’s the problem | Maria Alejandra Espinosa | TEDxTES YouthEmpathy is often seen as something soft, emotional, even optional, a nice-to-have in a world ruled by logic and efficiency. But what if we’ve misunderstood its real power? Empathy, when redefined, can become a driving force behind meaningful, lasting change. It should not only be seen as a feeling, but as a tool for questioning, understanding, and rebuilding the systems around us. Maria Alejandra is a 10th Grade TES student. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx
- 13:16El caos no es el fin, es el impulso | Lucia Caceres | TEDxTES YouthEl caos no siempre destruye. A veces, revela. Ansiedad, incertidumbre, desorden… pueden ser señales, no amenazas. Todo depende de cómo decides mirarlo. Tal vez ese momento en el que todo parece perder sentido sea, en realidad, el punto exacto donde algo nuevo está por comenzar. Porque soltar el control no es rendirse, es abrir espacio para lo que realmente importa: crecer, transformarse, empezar otra vez. Lucia Caceres is an 8th Grade TES student. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx
- 13:44No es la situación, es la interpretación | Jhon Sebastian Chinóme | TEDxTES YouthLo que otros llaman desventaja, muchas veces es solo una perspectiva equivocada. No es la condición, ni el diagnóstico, ni la dificultad externa lo que nos limita… es la forma en que la interpretamos. Nuestra mente tiene el poder de transformar un obstáculo en una oportunidad, pero solo si dejamos de mirar nuestras diferencias como debilidades. La verdadera barrera no está afuera: está en la creencia que decidimos adoptar frente a lo que vivimos. Jhon is a systems engineer who will be talking about how it feels to live on the autism spectrum. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx
- 14:58Why your purpose goes beyond you | Juan Sebastian Poveda | TEDxTES YouthSome ideas remind us that personal growth is never just personal. That the fire that drives us, when nurtured with honesty and persistence, can lead to something greater—something that extends quietly beyond our own ambitions. In a world that often pushes us to chase success for its own sake, we forget that real purpose doesn’t need to be loud or heroic. It simply asks to be true. Our combined passions naturally propel us forward when we pursue our purpose with clarity and consistency — revealing that staying true to it might be the most generous gift we can offer the world. Juan Sebastian is a 10th Grade TES student This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx