Adding Gamified Elements to your Blended or Online Course
This is an article Erin wrote a while back, but, given our current circumstances, we thought it was worth bringing it out again.
Gamification is a term that has been creating buzz in education for the past several years. There is a lot of information, literature, and even MOOCs on the subject. We have discovered that it can offer our students engaging and meaningful learning experiences and increase learner motivation. We also have established that a good place to start is by looking at the learning outcomes in your course, deciding on the type of game structure, then adding motivational elements throughout your course. But have you thought about how you might build gaming elements and experiences directly into your online or blended course? Many of the features that exist in your learning management system (LMS) already lend themselves to gamified experiences.
When planning these experiences for your students, it can help to relate to our own preferences as gamers to realize what motivates us. Think about a game you have really enjoyed playing. What qualities made it so enjoyable for you?
According to gamer psychology (Bartle, 1996) there are 4 main types of gaming personalities:
- Explorers: These gamers love to explore all corners of the game. They like to wander and find all hidden areas, knowledge and facts along the way. Explorers like to teach others what they have learned.
- Achievers: These types like to improve their status by leveling up. They love to master the game and collect as many points or achievements as possible. They are playing for the power and mastery over the game.
- Socializers: These gamers look forward to interaction that is gained by playing the game, rather than focusing on the game itself. They want to make friends, gain recognition, followers, and contacts through play.
- Killers: These types like to take down other players by damaging or causing grief to fellow gamers or opponents. Their sense of achievement comes from knowing how to attack and cause strife, therefore resulting in reputation or recognition.
The gaming mechanics you use will appeal to different personality types. There are many gaming mechanics that will motivate and engage players. These mechanics will often fall into the categories of providing feedback, objectives, or progression. Many of them lend themselves to the educational theories and methods that we already use. For example, levelling in a gamified situation can be compared to scaffolding concepts. Achievements in a game could be compared to mastery of a concept, and discovery to formative assessment.
Gaming Personalities
- Explorers
- Achievers
- Socializers
- Killers
Gaming Mechanics
- Quests
- Goals
- Levelling
- Achievements
- Leaderboard
- Discovery
Primary Benefits
- Engagement
- Loyalty
- Fun
- Status
- Incentives
You can set up your modules so that certain elements or pages are released but only after completion of previous pages/activities.
Primary Benefits
- Engagement
- Incentives
Gaming Mechanics
- Goals
- Levelling
Gaming Personality
- Achievers
Students must first work through an entire module and complete the assessments before moving to the next topic.
Primary Benefits
- Engagement
- Incentives
- Fun
Gaming Mechanics
- Levelling
- Achievements
Gaming Personality
- Achievers
A story, character, or situation can be developed through the content pages in a course.
Primary Benefits
- Engagement
- Loyalty
- Fun
Gaming Mechanics
- Quests
- Discovery
Gaming Personality
- Explorers
Set up groups in your course so that students can work to achieve a goal as a “team”.
Primary Benefits
- Engagement
- Incentives
- Fun
Gaming Mechanics
- Goals
- Quests
- Achievements
Gaming Personality
- Socializers
Badges or trophies can be issued once students have achieved an outcome or benchmark.
Primary Benefits
- Status
- Incentives
- Fun
Gaming Mechanics
- Achievements
Gaming Personality
- Achievers
The feature of “up-voting” exists in many LMS discussions which can serve to create a leaderboard or competition.
Primary Benefits
- Status
- Loyalty
Gaming Mechanics
- Leaderboard
Gaming Personality
- Killers
Case studies and simulations can function as an exploratory experience that students can “solve”.
Primary Benefits
- Engagement
- Fun
Gaming Mechanics
- Quests
- Discovery
Gaming Personality
- Explorers
Citations
Kiang, D. (2014, January 21). Use the four gamer types to help your students collaborate. EdTech Teacher. http://edtechteacher.org/use-the-four-gamer-types-to-help-your-students-collaborate-from-douglas-kiang-on-edudemic/
Raymer, R. (2011, September). Gamification: using game mechanics to enhance elearning. eLearn Magazine. http://elearnmag.acm.org/featured.cfm?aid=2031772
Viola, A. (2013, July 18). Strategies for gamification: The sequel. Lethbridge College. http://www.lc2.ca/item/119-strategies-for-gamification-the-sequel
Viola, A. (2013, May 23). What are the elements of learner motivation? Lethbridge College. http://www.lc2.ca/item/112-what-can-gamification-offer-our-students
Bader, S., Lindsay, E., Robertson, A. (2015, October). Gamify! Play! Learn! Presented at the Annual Educause Conference, Indianapolis, Indiana.
