Before the e-learning business becomes a trend, we developed an e-learning website for Bill. With great course material and splendid marketing strategies, Bill was able to draw learners towards his course.
That was years’ ago. Now, e-learning is a real deal and the market is expected to go past $7 billion in 2018. And Bill is scared that he would not be a part of that large profit bucket.
Last night, he gave us a call and regretted how his once attractive e-learning website has gone redundant with poor traffic. “The biggest tragedy is that those who are coming also leaving the website so soon”, he complained.
“Let’s introduce gamification into your e-learning to have more students” , we suggested. Bill inquired about the “What”, “Why” and “How” of gamification in e-learning and we addressed each of his queries.
Now, if you have experienced a low in your e-learning website traffic visit like Bill or planning to start an e-learning website from the scratch, read about the Gamification- the present and the future of the e-learning in details.
Before that, a basic question-
What is Gamification in e-learning ?
To be precise, gamification in education incorporates the elements and thinking or the psychology of a game.
As a well-played game arrests our attention, keeps us glued to it and leads us to a thrilling climax, the gamification incorporates all these into the e-learning course proving below benefits-
1. Maximize the Fun Quotient in Game:-
With gamification, every course content, even the most boring academic one, is fun to go through. The students feel relaxed and more willing when they are allowed to consume the lessons by playing a game or trying to win different challenges.
“But, will not it trivialize the course content?” Bill was concerned.
Of course not, We assured him. Rather, the ambiance of the game will level up the participation in a course which is never dull, never boring and always exciting in each stage. Plus, the challenges of a game will demand more concentration from the participants and will ensure attentive learning.
2. Enhance the Engagement:-
Gamification engages the learners in two ways-
- Players are not facing a compelling situation like developing a monumental course presentation or they have been asked to appear in hectic written examination. The open and enjoyable learning environment engage them.
- The gamification represents the course content through an interesting story or challenges. It’s a magnet to the learners. Being completely engaged,they want to be succeeded, be the leader in the competition, give their level best to win all the virtual rewards.
3. Motivates the Students:-
“It’s great that gamification will regain my lost traffic and surely they will be engaged too. But, what if they fail to overcome the challenges or win the game? They will not be able to acquire their sought knowledge and leave my course.”, Bill threw an important question before us.
“Don’t worry. Gamification will motivate your learners.”. we suggested him. Now, this is not a rocket science theory but modified tactics taken from the traditional educational system.
In our traditional education system, our mark sheets are the biggest motivators. Similarly, an e-learning course with gamification offers badges and leaderboards to motivate the learners.
Plus, the lifelines motivate them for relentless efforts and retention of acquired knowledge till they achieve their goal.
4. Knowledge Ownership:-
Students are not mere players or participants in gamification model of e-learning. They are the protagonists in a mission to face and conquer the challenges and eventually consume the course content.
Gamification is student-centric, giving them the complete ownership of their learning. As the game will progress, the learners depending on their skill and advancement will garner the knowledge in a self-taught mode.
Bill was highly excited by the concept of Knowledge autonomy. “I wish, we had gamification learning model in our time”, Bill regretted. So did we.
5. Productivity:-
No, we are not claiming that the gamification model of learning would transform the learners into a wise Buddha or Einstein. But, they will experience more productivity.
Bill did not buy our words. And you too, we know. Ok. Answer this.
When do we the most productive works?
Most will answer that, when their mind are fresh, when they get completely absorbed in their work and when there is no fear of deadlines.
Does not the gamification model of education offer all these?
1. Learners are not here before neck-breaking course materials but learning by playing a highly interesting game. That eases out the learning process.
2. No fear of failure and freedom of maximum efforts keep them engaged. In result, learners come up with thought provoking solutions in an open environment.
3. Constant progression is another valuable factor behind productivity. The game progresses, the learner advances, so their learning process.
With gamification, they are not stuck at any level. And if they get stuck at any level, they will be retained and encouraged for participation in the game for further advancement through motivators.
6. Course content is easy to consume:-
“Tell me one thing”, Bill asked us. “Will the simultaneous progression of game and learning experience be an overwhelming factor for the learners?”
This is common apprehension. So we assured him that it will not be a factor.
Because, from our experience, we have seen that gamification never creates an overwhelming experience for the learners. It makes the course content easy to consume.
- The gamification based courses guide the learners towards content consumption through short term goals. Learners are introduced to step by step learning with the progression of the game.
- The gamification model installs a sense of achievement to foster the learner’s hunger for knowledge intake. And above all the temptations of awards provide a framework for learning new material.
7. Introduced to Real Life Situation:-
The gamification is a true example of a seamless distribution of practical knowledge.
- Learners are here introduced to real life challenges and asked to find the solution based on their skill or practical implementation of theoretical lessons.
- Relatedness is the biggest catalyst to fruitful learning. In gamification, the course material is presented through an easily identifiable story to inspire the learners.
Bill demanded an example and we introduced him with Duolingo, world’s most popular way to learn a language.
Bill picked up French to surprise his fiancee in his next tour to Paris. And he was awestruck by the easy learning mechanism of Duolingo, a gift from the gamification.
At the beginning, Bill had to decide his goals -the amount of he wants to put in everyday out of options from Basic to Advance.
Bill was encouraged to impress his beloved by Duolingo by learning words of daily things and more advanced grammatical lessons. The goals and badges are highly motivational for learners, Bill admitted.
8. Huge Impact on the Students:-
Bill was an old player in e-learning business. He was not only concerned about the course content presentation but also worried about the impact of the gamification on the students, precisely on their mental and character development.
We appreciate Bill’s thought and assured him that the concept of game works on mental strength. Below is a list of factors, the gamification model improves and injects below qualities-
- Performance & Perseverance
- Risk Taking Abilities & Competitiveness
- Attention to Details
- Assessment of the Situation
- Quick problem-Solving Skill
On top of that, gamification leverage people’s natural desires for-
- Socializing with a relatable, real-life course content,
- Learning through engaging lessons,
- Mastery with a freedom of self-teaching,
- Achievement & status by rewarding them,
- Self-expression through a comfortable learning experience.
Pundits are considering gamification as the game-changer in e-learning industry. Bill agreed to that when we showcased all the capabilities of the gamification. What do you think? Are you in favor of the new mode of education or stick to the old tools. Decide now.
Image Courtesy – publicdomainpictures.net, Duolingo, Flickr, Pixaby
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