1. Gamification Dr. Carole Bagley, Ph.D. The Technology Group, Inc.
and University of St. Thomas

2. What is Gamification ?
Gamification of e-learning is the application of game elements & gaming techniques to non-game elements (online learning content) in an effort to make it fun & engaging.
Whether you’re rolling dice or racing against the clock, adding gamification elements to e-learning courses is a great way to keep learners focused and motivated.
Gamification, or applying the elements of games to other types of content, is a great way to add interest and engagement to e-learning.

3. Game-based Learning
Game-based learning is a form of game play with specific learning outcomes; it is typically instructionally designed to provide a balance between subject matter that needs to be learned, playing games, and the capability of the learners to apply the knowledge and skills in the real world.
Virtual Worlds with simulations could permit learners to tinker with chemical reactions, practice operating or performing an experience.
Games help players to develop and exercise a skill including planning, thinking using technical skills, collaboration, etc.

4. Examples Who wants to be a Millionaire?
Dusty the Dragon / Save the King immersive environment virtual world

5. Critical aspects in Game creation
Instructional Design
Objectives for learning
Content must provide satisfaction and challenge
Discovery is important with hints, guidance
Storytelling and scenarios provide goals and motivation
Stimulating questions
Scorekeeping may positively impact one type of game or
learning style / learner, but may hamper another
Feedback
Feedback and Guidance are important for learning and for
assessing the knowledge and skills
Simulations
Reuse of interface, software objects/characters to provide
help/hints and scaffolding for various levels, and leverage the
non-sequential, immersive environment / simulations

6. Gamification
Use of game mechanics to encourage learners to explore and learn as they move towards an end goal.
Examples of game mechanics:
Narrative
Interactivity
Feedback 
Time restraints
Rules
Player Control 
Levels
Points
Competition
Collaboration

7. Elements of Game-based Learning / Mechanics
Narrative
A key part of many games is the narrative, or the story,
behind them. These stories often incorporate a
protagonist (a relatable character), the antagonist (the
challenge the character faces) and a plot (a sequence of
events).
How to incorporate this game element? Creating a scenario is a great way to add a narrative
element to your course. Scenarios involve characters that
follow a simple plot or sequence of events.

8. Game-based Learning Rules Rules are a critical part of any game to set
expectations and parameters. They let players
know what they can and cannot do.
How to incorporate this game element? Use specific & concise instructions for the learners
to communicate the rules for your scenario.
Clearly communicate what you expect learners to
do at all steps of the course, and make sure they’re
never left guessing what to do.

9. Media Richness Player Control
Having control over the journey and the outcome is a
common element of many games. Players love to feel
in control of their potential for success.
How to incorporate this game element?
One way to give learners control is to let them choose
an avatar or character that appears in the course.
Another way is to open up navigation to give learners
control over how they progress through the content.
Let learners access content from a main menu with
several possible choices, instead of forcing them
down a linear path.

10. Game-based Learning Discovery
Games often encourage discovery and exploration; for
example, people love to “hunt” for a hidden treasure.
How to incorporate this game element?
Include a little “Easter egg,” such as a hidden nugget of
extra information or the ability to score some extra points.
Just remember that while looking for extra information is
a fun add-on, never make a learner hunt for critical
information that they need to know. You should also
make sure you provide learners with clear instructions on
what they are looking for. There’s nothing worse than
clicking aimlessly without knowing why or where to look.

11. Game-based Learning Interactivity
How many games have you played that required you to
do nothing? None! Games are all about stimulation and
engagement, whether mental or physical, and you should
be doing something as part of the process.
How to incorporate this game element?
Think about how you can make the content more
interactive. This doesn’t simply mean making the user
“click” more often, but instead crafting meaningful
interactions that require a learner to think and make
decisions. Instead of telling them the information outright,
make them select the correct choice from a list and drag
it into place. Instead of presenting them the steps of a
linear process, get them to order the steps themselves.

12. Game-based Learning Time Constraints
Games use time constraints to create a sense of
urgency, which pressures the gamer to think and
act quickly.
How to incorporate this game element?
To simulate a real-life constraint, consider using a
countdown or a timer on your quiz.
For example, if your call center expects calls to be
completed in less than five minutes, give your
scenario a time limit of five minutes for the learner
to pass.

13. Game-based Learning Loss Aversion
Loss aversion refers to the tendency of humans to prefer
avoiding losses to acquiring gains. Studies have
demonstrated that a loss is twice as powerful as a gain,
and this mental propensity is used by many game
developers.
How to incorporate this game element?
Use a points system in your course to let learners know
where they stand, and let them know points can be taken
away for incorrect answers. You could also use a visual
progress meter, such as a map with checkpoints, that
shows learner whether they are moving forwards or
backwards as they progress through the content.

14. Game-based Learning Continuous Play
Continuous play is the ability for a gamer to pick up
where he left off and continue the game. This means
even if the gamer “loses” the game, they can start over
and try again as many times as they want.
How to incorporate this game element?
Let learners keep going! It’s a great sign when learners
want to retry or revisit content. It means they are
interested and intrigued. Remember: you want to
encourage and compel your viewers to learn, so if they
want to revisit course content, why not let them?
One way to incorporate continuous play into your courses
is to allow learners to retake a quiz or assessment if they
have failed. Another way is to give them a second
chance if they answer a question incorrectly.

15. Game-based Learning Rewards Levels
Bonus points or rewards make people feel good, and are
used extensively in many different games.
How to incorporate this game element?
Consider giving “bonus points” to learners for more
difficult questions, or by providing them with an ability to
earn extra rewards based on good choices.
Levels
Achieving different levels, goals, or challenges is a
common theme among games.
One idea: instead of having chapters or modules,
organize your content into “levels” and “unlock” the levels
when learners answer choices correctly or hit a certain
number of points.

16. Game-based Learning Competition
Leaderboards are one of the most popular ways to
encourage competition in the gaming world.
Leaderboards rank players and their scores, and people
love them because they like to get recognition for their
skills and effort.
How to incorporate this game element?
Use a corporate intranet page or your LMS to let learners
see how their coworkers are progressing. Be mindful of
the information you share; low scores made public could
be embarrassing for learners.
Remember: in order to properly and effectively add
gamification to your courses, the game elements need to
be thoroughly thought out and well designed.

17. THE END