Bringing Gamification into 2023

A screenshot from a gamified eLearning slide - Designed by Emma Berry

Like many eLearning developers, I have mixed feelings when it comes to gamification in eLearning. Just the term gamification immediately sends my brain down a path of cringey characters, leader boards and overly complicated rules.

For those who aren’t aware, gamification means applying the mechanics of a game into a nongame environment, e.g. an eLearning, website, LMS. This can look like using point scoring, leader boards, badges, or different levels or missions to drive an emotional response from the individual, i.e. competitiveness! The idea being that this then encourages collaboration and engagement.

However, it’s worth noting that in recent years, statistics have shown that learners are wanting less leader boards and more tangible, relevant learning that meets their needs. Whilst this competitive, point scoring method may have been successful 10 years ago, nowadays people don’t have the time to be playing games. We are now more selfish as learners too (in a good way), post-pandemic many professionals are taking ownership of their development and are less interested in competing with their colleagues and more so on their own individual goals.

“Learners are wanting less leader boards and more tangible, relevant learning that meets their needs.”

So does that mean gamification no longer has a place?

Not everything needs to be gamified. It can be so tempting as instructional designers to try and shoe horn some ‘fun’ in there, in the hopes that it will sky rocket levels of engagement or retention. But let’s be honest, that simply isn’t going to happen. What you want to avoid is learners being too distracted by the game itself, that they can’t recall anything they’ve actually learned.

That being said, I do think gamification can still have a place in eLearning. But…it needs a bit of a modern makeover! Think less leader boards and obscure games and more multi-layered activities that challenge perception and encourage deep thought. Instead of asking learners to compete against each other, get them competing with their own knowledge and understanding of a subject.

But where do I start I hear you cry?

Here’s my top tips when it comes to embedding ‘modern’ gamification into your eLearning.

1. Consider your content.
   Firstly consider whether your content really suits gamification. Any form of interactivity should be designed to support and deliver your content, remember we’re not shoehorning gamification in for the sake of it!

   Think about your learning outcomes and what it is you want to be achieved through the gamification. For example, if you need a learner to apply new knowledge or behaviour in specific workplace situations, you may opt for a scenario or character based activity as opposed to a ‘game.’ However, if you’re needing to quickly test the learner’s understanding of a section you may opt for a quickfire quiz style game with a timer and points system. Throw in some dramatic countdown music and you’re set.
   
   Let your content drive the method!
   

2. Update your media.
   Step away from the clipart, I repeat step away from the clipart. Take advantage of royalty free image and video sites such as Pexels.com and Pixabay to source high quality image assets. If you’re using Storyline 360, make the most of the built in icon and image galleries to add depth to your game. If you’re using imagery of people, ensure to represent a wide range of ethnicities, races and ages. If you want to use illustrations make sure they are consistent in colour and artistic style across your whole eLearning.

   Why is this important?

   Using a mashup of various styles of imagery and illustration will look messy and will just increase the cognitive load. The result? The learner is going to focus on all the wrong things and not the task in hand.
   

3. Keep it simple.

   When writing your game, or gamified activity, keep the mechanism as simple as possible. Avoid complicated rules or controls and ensure any instructions are clearly signposted and written in plain English. This is not only key for accessibility purposes, but once again avoids cognitive overload. Starting with a simple game mechanism means you can build on learning.
   
   An example of layering a simple game mechanism could be via a hidden object style activity. The learner answers questions to determine the things to find, they then have to find the objects in the quickest time possible. If the learner doesn’t complete the game in the time, there is a relevant consequence. This would lend itself well to topics around hazard perception or even healthcare, as it revolves around quick thinking and quick reactions.
   

4. Silent and subtle
   Not all gamification needs to be blindingly obvious, in some instances the learner could be scoring points without even realising it. Let’s take a look at an example I whipped up…

“Not all gamification needs to be blindingly obvious, in some instances the learner could be scoring points without even realising it.”

In this example, the learner answers questions based on being compassionate as a manager. At the end of the 5 questions, they are provided with a character, that reflects the choices they made. (this was heavily inspired by those weird Buzzfeed quizzes that tell you what Harry Potter character you are based on your dessert choices)

Although you don’t see it, this small quiz works on a points based system, answers in-line with being a highly compassionate individual gain you 3 points, answers in-line with being critical or judgemental gain you just 1 point. The individual isn’t aware of it but they should actually be aiming for a middle ground to match with a character called ‘Firm but Fair Fatima.’ By not telling the learner this, we are encouraging them to answer the questions truthfully.

The layering of the learning comes when the individual is challenged to determine the positives or negatives of their character’s behaviour, before it is finally revealed who the ideal character is.

Through not revealing the point system, we put the learner in competition with themselves by challenging their perception of their own behaviour, leading to self-reflection and deeper thought.

A final thought…

Whilst gamification can be a successful method of ‘jazzing up’ your learning content, it’s worth mentioning that this doesn’t mean you can neglect the rest of your eLearning. One game won’t make up for 20 bad slides either side! Instead of focusing too much on nailing an overcomplicated game, ensure your eLearning consistently has opportunities for engagement, interaction and learner participation throughout. Oh and once again…step away from the clipart!