How to Enhance eLearning with Gamification

You may have heard the term “gamification” before, but what it is exactly and why do people use it for eLearning?

It may sound like the process Bruce Banner went through to become the Incredible Hulk, but I assure you, it has nothing to do with superhuman strength or gamma radiation.

Gamification, put simply, uses elements of game play to motivate individuals to complete a task.

It combines the addictive dopamine hit of scrolling social media with the validating sense we get from accomplishing a task. And once you understand the basics of what it is, you may just recognize elements of gamification intertwined with other parts of your day-to-day life. From marketing tactics to streaming services – gamification is everywhere.

So, why should you be using it for your eLearning course?

Why is it advantageous to use gamification in eLearning?

Have you ever played pinball, or any competitive video game, before? If so, you may have noticed a feature that displayed the top-ranked players in a scrolling list. Did seeing those scores set a fire in you to get better? Did it inspire you to, one day, see your name atop the leaderboard? eLearning companies use this same mentality to engage and motivate learners to complete modules, successfully answer knowledge checks, and to master activities.

Of course, the use of gamification needs to make sense for your learning materials. You can’t just throw in a few gaming elements and expect learners’ competency in the content to grow. The use of gamification needs to relate to a specific learning objective for your course in order to be effective.

Here are a few other benefits that applying gamification to your eLearning course can have:

• Encourages active learning – Gamification can inspire learners to take a more active approach to learning by testing their knowledge on the material and getting instant feedback on it, which allows them to learn from their mistakes.
• Boosts interactivity – Adding gaming elements will boost the level of interactivity within the course, which can stimulate and engage learners with the content. This, in turn, will get learners thinking critically about what they’re being asked to do along with the information that they’ve learned about.
• Sparks competition – Using leaderboards to rank learners and their scores can trigger a sense of competition that motivates them to put more effort into gaining a better understanding of the course material. A natural learning incentive!
• Enhances productivity – For corporations looking to implement online training for their employees, gamification can result in enhanced productivity as gaming elements can help learners stay engaged with the content for longer.

Overall, gamification creates a more enjoyable eLearning experience.

How can I use gamification in my eLearning content?

If you’re looking to implement gamification for your online course, here are a few ways to do it:

• Scenarios – A realistic scenario can create an interactive experience that gets the learner to use their problem-solving skills and visualize how the course material can relate to real-world situations.
• Badges and rewards – Badges, points or rewards are all ways to recognize a learner’s achievements, can be a motivational tool to keep their interest level up, and can act as positive reinforcement.
• Leaderboards – Seeing how a learner is performing in comparison to others can create a healthy sense of competition and encourage them to stay motivated.
• Levels – The learner can track their own progress by leveling up and “unlocking” the next block or module of course material.

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