Today, technology touches every aspect of our lives. We order on smartphones from our cars. We choose our groceries sight unseen. And, we even host virtual birthday parties.
One thing remains the same—our education system. We still teach people the same way we did fifty years ago. They come to class, read a textbook, and write a test.
Gamification represents a new path forward.
We can inspire and motivate learners with games instead. We have the technology to make it happen.
What Is Gamification?
Gamification is a fancy word for an old concept. Did you ever collect the prizes in cereal boxes when you were a kid? Or, buy “scratch and win” coffee cups from McDonalds? Or, just compete against your classmates in a study session?
All of these are examples of gamified experiences.
You can gamify any experience by adding an element of chance. Or, you can add a gaming mechanic like a winning points or a health bar. Whichever option you choose, you’re sure to motivate your learners.
Today, gamification strategies are also commonplace virtually. Digital learning platforms now include badges, leaderboards, and more, to keep learners motivated.
What Is the Value of Gamification?
Companies invest in gamification because it improves engagement. Gallup has shown that improving employee engagement leads to higher profits, increased productivity, and greater customer loyalty.
Here are a few statistics to prove the value of gamification:
- Increases engagement by as much as 48%.
- Employees rank a fun work environment over monetary rewards.
- 72% of people find games inspiring.
Luckily, gamification doesn’t need to be difficult to design to be effective. Even simple gamification strategies can up the fun quotient in your office.
🔍 Related Post: How Gamification is Changing the Education Industry
3 Gamification Strategies You Can Incorporate Today
Leaderboards
Before you start with a leaderboard, decide how your user will gain points. Will they score by answering a number of questions correctly? Or, is it based on how frequently they log in? Or, maybe for how long they played?
Ideally, you start with your desired user behavior. If you want to target a learning habit, then you just focus on the number of logins, not correct answers.
No matter what, you want to make the goal achievable.Otherwise, you’ll have frustrated users.
Top tips for implementing a leaderboard:
- Make the high score an achievable goal.
- Show them the leaderboard before they play.
- Set up friendly competitions.
- Use it as social proof.
Instant Feedback
Games are fun because we generally understand if we are winning . . . or not. Classic video games like Mario give players a certain number of lives. Then, players keep track with a health bar. Similarly, PacMan shows players how exactly many dots are left on one screen.
Video games visualize our progress toward a measurable goal. And, we know exactly what that goal is.
For instant feedback to work, make sure your user knows exactly what they’re supposed to be doing. And, more importantly, how they can get back on track. Plus, any good game lets you start over and try again.
Top tips for giving instant feedback:
- Give users a clear goal
- Include a progress/health bar
- Use a pop up to show users gaining/losing points
Milestones
Our world tends to focus on the big picture. We want to close the deal, pass the course, buy the house, lose all the weight.
Video games do the opposite—they reward small accomplishments.
A business can do the same. Whatever your objective, break it down into small milestones. Then, reward your users for each one. Soon, the small steps will translate into big achievements.
Top tips for designing milestones:
- Make a map for your user to see the big picture.
- Choose meaningful rewards for your users.
- Track your users’ progress.
🔍 Want to engage your learners using gamification, read our blog post, 3 Gamification Strategies to Keep Your Learners Engaged.
How to Apply Gamification to Your Business
Gamification can be applied to any experience in your business.
Big name brands, like McDonald’s and Nike, have successfully boosted sales and customer engagement with gamified experiences. You could also use gamification in your marketing department.
You could also apply gamification to your training programs. As an added bonus, you’ll engage your millennial and Gen Z workers more easily with a gamified experience.
Or, maybe you’d like to make your work environment more fun. You’ll reap dividends with less employee turnover.
The opportunities for gamification are endless. All you need to do is choose which experience you’d like to gamify. Then, use one of these strategies in this blog post to make it a game.
Want to learn more strategies to get your learners engaged beyond gamification? Check out our on-demand webinar, 5 Tips to Engage Gen Z and Millennial eLearners in 2020 and Beyond
