Gamification in eLearning is the use of game theory and game mechanics in non-game contexts to engage users in solving problems. The main goal of gamification is to motivate your students – and those motivated students typically perform better.
Different from game-based learning, gamification in learning does not involve students in designing and creating their own games, or in playing commercially produced games. Gamification in learning occurs when learning happens in a non-game context, such as a school or online classroom, and when numerous game elements are arranged into a system – operating in coordination with the regular learning.
The easiest way to motivate students is to reward them for their efforts. Creating badges and points is a great starting point for any gamification strategy. Of course, make sure your badges are tailored to your business and specific learning goals. Doing this can increase student motivation and improve training efficiency and knowledge retention. A few other elements can be brought into gamification as well:
- Progress mechanics (points, badges, leaderboards, etc.)
- Narrative
- Player control
- Immediate feedback
- Opportunities for collaborative problem solving
- Scaffolded learning with increasing challenges
- Opportunities for mastery, and leveling up
- Social connection
What do you think, would you use gamification in eLearning? Perhaps you do already, what have your results been like? Stay tuned for more on the benefits of gamification.