As gamification has developed it has gained significant traction in recent years. Game mechanics and gamification are becoming commonplace in many EdTech platforms and education systems from schools to corporate training (e.g. L&D) are looking for ways to incorporate game-like elements (points, badges, leaderboards, and challenges) into different learning contexts. However, the question remains; is using gamification really effective at improving learning outcomes or is it simply a fad?
What is Gamification in Education?
Gamification is the process of applying game-based design elements to non-game contexts; education is one of those areas. Gamification focuses primarily on motivation and engagement through game elements by participating in game-like contexts that relate to the needs of human psychology, compete, collaborate, achieve, recognize. It is used extensively in EdTech to help learners transform what would normally be considered a boring lesson into an interactive experience that encourages learners to engage in learning to a deeper extent.
Commonly used learning components of gamification:
- Points and Scores: Points are commonly awarded for just about everything you can think of from simply logging in to completing a task.
- Badges and Achievements: You earn achievements for milestones in particular objectives.
- Leaderboard: This element encourages learners to engage in a healthy competitive environment with their peers.
- Quests and Challenges: Encourage learners to problem solve and persist through challenges and quests.
Is Gamification really effective in improving educational outcomes?
Gamification in education can be evaluated in terms of its influence on the educational outcomes of the following categories of interest: engagement, retention, motivation, and application of knowledge.
- Increased Engagement and Motivation
One of the most apparent benefits of gamification is its ability to capture and sustain learners’ attention. When gamification is in play, learning transforms from a passive endeavour to an interactive experience. Learners frequently report feeling more motivated to engage in the activity, as they are able to show visible signs of progress, and receive rewards for success.
- Improved Knowledge Retention
Gamification can assist with memory retention. The mechanics of gamification reinforce the learning experience by offering opportunities for reflection, repetition, and feedback. For example, quizzes that provide a quick score upon completion allow learners to see gaps in their knowledge and correct errors right away, which solidifies knowledge.
- Promoting Mastery & Application
Gamified environments typically add to the experience by creating problem-solving challenges that require learners to apply concepts and work through problems, rather than just memorizing facts. This learning can be more robust when it is experiential and gives learners a better chance to create mental models that prepare them for employment and other aspects in day-to-day life.
Potential Disadvantages of Gamification
While gamification can have some positive aspects, it is important to keep in mind that it does have limitations and pitfalls:
- Reward Overemphasis – Learners may focus completely on obtaining points, badges, or other rewards rather than truly learning content.
- Uniform Design – Learning motivations can be different for different learners, so a gamification design for one group does not mean that it will engage another.
- Short-Term Engagement – Enthusiasm can easily wane if gamification is not sincerely implemented or if the challenges are too repetitive.
Tips for Successful Gamification in EdTech
To get the most from gamification, educators and developers should remember the following:
- Align game elements to learning objectives: Make sure rewards and challenges work to support the educational goals, as well as fun.
- Make the experience personal: Adapt challenges and rewards to suit learner preferences as they progress & perform.
- Encourage social learning: Create challenges that encourage teams or peer challenges.
- Facilitate feedback for meaningful actions: Use game elements to provide feedback that encourages improvement.
Conclusion
The potential of gamification in EdTech to make learning compelling, impactful, and effective is substantial, but ultimately will depend on the implementation. When executed with intentionality, or a clear educational purpose aligned to capture the potential for learner diversity, gamification can impact very meaningful changes in way learners understand and convey knowledge. Nevertheless, if treated like a sticker on an assignment page, and becomes superficial, then gamification runs the risk of becoming irrelevant, or worse, a hindrance for positive learning.
