The Role of Gamification in Instructional Design

Games have been around for centuries. From Ancient Egyptian board games to modern online immersive experiences, they all share some important characteristics. Let’s dig deeper to see how gamification is reshaping instructional design.

Games have been around for centuries. From Ancient Egyptian board games to modern online immersive experiences, they all share some important characteristics.

Besides being entertaining and fun, games promote creative thinking and cognitive stimulation. They are rewarding and foster a sense of accomplishment.

It’s little wonder that incorporating game-like elements into instructional design has proven to be a very effective way to deliver information. Indeed, a Talent LMS survey found that over 80% of employees felt gamification made them happier and more productive 1.

Let’s dig deeper to see how gamification is reshaping instructional design.


Why is gamification so powerful?

The power of gamification can be attributed to our brain’s reward system, and the neurotransmitter known as dopamine.

Dopamine is released in response to pleasurable experiences and makes us feel good. When this happens, we have a motivation to repeat the experience.

In a gaming environment, this reaction is crucial for keeping the player engaged and driven to complete each level. In a learning environment, the same logic applies.

For example, popular mobile games like Candy Crush rely on our dopamine response to keep us hooked. If you’ve ever played this game, you know how addictive it can be.

Frequent in-game rewards encourage players to repeat levels over and over until they complete them and can move on to the next.

From an instructional design perspective, imagine those candies as nuggets of information to be acquired. Each time a learner successfully masters a concept or completes a task, they experience a burst of satisfaction and a sense of accomplishment.

This positive reinforcement is what drives the learner to keep going.


How gamification overcomes learning challenges

We’ve all sat through dry and boring information dumps that we’re somehow supposed to retain.

Snore.

Our brains simply don’t work like that. They need memorable and worthwhile experiences to make the knowledge stick. They need that dopamine hit!

Also, learners must understand how to apply their newfound knowledge in real-world situations. Without practical application, the information remains abstract and disconnected from reality.

Is a 40-slide PowerPoint lecture going to fix that?

Not likely.

This is where gamification steps in and transforms a passive “box-ticking” exercise into active participation. Importantly, it bridges the gap between theoretical learning and practical application and equips the learner for real-world challenges.

Boredom and apathy are exchanged for excitement and interest. Everyone wins!


Examples of gamification

What does gamification in learning actually look like?

Well, it can exist in a myriad of ways, and some common methods include:

  • Points and achievement badges
  • Leaderboards
  • Challenges and quizzes
  • Levels and progress indicators
  • Storytelling and scenarios
  • Training simulations

A gamified experience may include one, some, or all of these methods and there are plenty of examples out there. Here’s a few you can take inspiration from:


Duolingo

Duolingo

The familiar language learning app is a perfect example of using points as motivation.

As players progress through the learning modules, they are awarded XP (experience points), badges, and virtual gems. These unlock access to new leagues and levels and provide the incentive to continue.

It’s so effective that Duolingo has cemented its place as the world’s most popular language-learning app with over 500 million paid subscribers using the service.


KPMG

In another example, the tax and Advisory firm KPMG introduced a gamified training program designed to enhance employees’ knowledge of the organization’s products and services.

It consisted of a “race around the world” challenge where participants could earn points and complete mini-game challenges to unlock new levels.

The results were startling. After 29 months, the number of:

  • new clients had risen by 16%
  • collected fees had increased by 25%
  • new opportunities had risen by 22%

Family of Heroes

Family of Heroes

Created by Kognito, Family of Heroes uses immersive storytelling and scenario-branching. The aim is to help family members of veterans improve their communication skills and manage post-deployment stress.

As they navigate through conversations, learners make decisions that affect the outcome. Each decision provides immediate feedback, helping learners understand the impact of what they say.

Incorporating a narrative into the learning process keeps the learner emotionally invested while providing a safe environment in which to make mistakes.


How to incorporate gamification into instructional design

As with all training methods, there are some basic gamification principles that you should follow:


1. Define the purpose

What is the “quest?”

Before learners are sent on one, you must define the objective. This needs to be a measurable goal that the training will fulfill.

You can use a method like Action Mapping to uncover objectives. Once you understand what these are, choose the gamification methods that align with them.


2. Develop the narrative

Weave a compelling narrative throughout the content. Learners feel more invested if there is a relatable story and it makes the content meaningful.

Introduce characters and scenarios that reflect real-life situations learners might encounter and allow them to influence the storyline with their decisions.

To enhance this, let learners create personalized “avatars” or characters that they can place into the story.


3. Provide a safe space to fail

The saying “we learn from our mistakes” exists for a good reason.

Learners must be comfortable to try and fail without consequence. And providing a safe space to apply newfound skills creates an opportunity for people to experiment and push boundaries.

By eliminating the fear factor of “getting it wrong,” learners can test their knowledge in a variety of ways before they use it in the real world.


4. Instant feedback

Real-time feedback helps the learner understand what they did and gives them immediate information on their performance.

For example, feedback displayed after a learner answers a multiple-choice question provides more context over why the answer was right or wrong.

This instant reinforcement has a double benefit.

If the outcome is positive, it acknowledges the success and motivates the learner to keep going. If the outcome is negative, constructive feedback and guidance allow learners to address mistakes and adjust their strategies for a better result.


5. Choice of learning pathways

Unlike linear learning where there is only one path and a single outcome, multiple pathways or choices give learners full autonomy over the route they take.

This personalizes the experience because outcomes are determined by the learner’s knowledge and preferences. If they get it wrong, they can simply go back and make a different decision, which leads to a new outcome.

Learning pathways can also be determined by a person’s skill level.

Newcomers may get easier learning paths to follow, while experienced individuals are offered more challenging routes.

Providing a combination of both allows the learner to decide when they’re ready to take the harder path and progress at their own pace.


6. Progress visibility

Learners should always understand where they are in the whole process and see what they’ve achieved so far.

Points, achievement badges, and other virtual rewards are an ideal method for displaying one’s progress and keeping the learner motivated to gain more.


7. Discovery elements

Did you know that most major games now contain “Easter eggs” that players can discover?

Hidden tidbits of information, secret levels, and other rewards boost excitement levels and encourage people to go looking for them.

Scattering these discovery elements throughout the content increases healthy competition. Once people hear there is a secret to uncover, everyone will rush to be the first to find it!


8. Content chunking

Avoid lengthy modules that address several objectives in one hit. Instead, break it down into manageable chunks.

Each new chunk should address one objective and build on the previous chunk. This way, learners obtain the information progressively and don’t get overwhelmed.


10. Rewards

Finally, what rewards are on offer? Why are people amassing all these points?

Be mindful of using tangible rewards, such as money or gift cards. These can encourage individuals to take up training for the wrong reasons. Aim for something intangible, like social recognition, digital certificates, and leaderboard rankings. It’s surprising how well these things can motivate a person.

However, don’t rely solely on rewards to drive engagement. Above all, the gamified elements must foster a genuine interest in the subject.


Gamification pitfalls to avoid as instructional designers

Before going all in on gamification, question if it is the correct approach.

Not all subjects benefit from playful or competitive elements, especially if it’s highly sensitive, theoretically complex, or serious. In these cases, gamification could undermine the gravity of the content, making it an ineffective choice.


Pitfall #1: Prioritizing fun over purpose

It can be easy to get so wrapped up in gamification that the core purpose of the experience is lost. Remember, the learner is there to gain new skills or knowledge, and the gamified elements should merely support that.


Pitfall #2: Choosing the wrong gamification methods

The gamified elements must align with the tone and purpose of the training. Don’t just add them for the sake of it.

For example, adding a quiz to a course that teaches individuals how to handle difficult conversations doesn’t make sense. Instead, conversational scenarios are a much better option because they give learners a safe space to practice.


Pitfall #3: Overcomplicating things

Keep it simple and intuitive. Too many rules, incentives, levels, etc. can overwhelm and confuse learners. The path should be easy to follow.


Final thoughts on gamification

Gamification has been around for a while, and although some dismiss it as a fad, it proves itself effective time and time again. When used correctly, it truly works and successfully combats a lack of interest and engagement in training content.

With thoughtful implementation, you can use gamification to transform the learning experience into something incredible.

Janette Bonnet

By Janette Bonnet

Janette Bonnet is an experienced L&D professional who is passionate about exploring instructional design techniques, trends, and innovations.

References:

  1. https://www.talentlms.com/blog/gamification-survey-results/ ↩︎