Gamification impacts learners in many different ways. It allows for the environment they are in to be more fun and engaging when it is used with gamification. The objective is not to turn work into a game, but more of a way to drive people to work harder and pay more attention than they would have if gamification was not used. Gamification creates competition between the learners and competition equals motivation. When the learner is trying to be competitive it creates opportunities and allows the learners to show they can learn the information.
Gamification is a phenomenal way to get your learners engaged! Using gamification in a learning environment can help people learn the information and to use point systems to try and be better than the other people learning the information. There are many psychological principles that come into play with gamification. It satisfies human desires, when someone gets awarded or has the most points it makes them feel accomplished with what they have learned. It also makes the individual want to keep playing the game. Oftentimes when they lose it makes them want to go harder and do better next time.
Studies show that the brain can only handle a certain amount of information before becoming stressed. Using gamification relieves this stress and lets the brain be clear of distractions. These all are psychological principles that authorize gamification to be used in a positive way. Gamification can impact the learners in a very positive way and they learn new information while having fun with it and competing. This lets the learners retain the information and enjoy the learning process.When gamification is used the learner is more likely to be engaged and focused so they can compete with the other learners to do the best they can.
Studies have also shown that it depends on the characteristics of the people who are learning. Some people like to compete and would take this is an opportunity for them to show their skills. Others would not try at all and not care if they get first or last on the leaderboard. If the gamification used allows for the people to be challenged, still learning the information they need to learn, and captures and retains the user’s attention, it will in turn create better learning outcomes, no matter their personalities.
How Gamification Impacts the Learners
- Using gamification brings out people’s imaginations, and when used properly can create infinite journeys or outcomes.
- Instant feedback is also a very useful thing for people who are competitive and allows them to see how they are doing right away rather than waiting for their results.
- Gamification allows them to see their results right away and know if they are learning the information correctly and whether they are keeping up or winning at the game.
Gamification can be used with the right group of learners and can lead to many different outcomes. Whether it fits for your company or not depends on how inclined your learners are to be competitive. The more competitive your business is the harder people will work to be better than their coworkers or peers. If they are doing good, they might get a reward or prize and this makes people do the best work they can and pay close attention to everything they are learning. This environment leads to a more focused workplace and can create a better learning strategy rather than the standard ways of teaching. Keeping learners engaged is what every business or class wants when trying to teach people new information. The more the learner pays attention the more they learn and overall do better for the class or for their future. When gamification is used properly it will boost your organizations performance overall. This is really good for your business and could be a very positive thing for the future of your business. If the gamification used makes the people be challenged, still learning the information they need to learn, and captures and retains the user’s attention, in turn it will create better learning outcomes.
Works Cited
Smiderle, R., Rigo, S., Marques, L., Jorge Arthur Peçanha de Miranda Coelho, & Jaques, P. (2020, January 09). The impact of gamification on students’ learning, engagement and behavior based on their personality traits. Retrieved March 26, 2021, from https://slejournal.springeropen.com/articles/10.1186/s40561-019-0098-x
Pandey, A. (2021, February 15). Gamification in ELEARNING: What is it + 6 killer Examples (2020 UPDATE) -. Retrieved March 26, 2021, from https://elearningindustry.com/6-killer-examples-gamification-in-elearning
Learnlight Insights. (n.d.). The top 5 benefits of gamification in learning. Retrieved March 26, 2021, from https://insights.learnlight.com/en/articles/5-benefits-of-gamification-in-learning/
Susan-Jacobs. (n.d.). Five psychological Principles Fueling Gamification. Retrieved April 01, 2021,https://learningsolutionsmag.com/articles/2381/five-psychological-principles-fueling-gamification#:~:text=Some%20examples%20include%20people’s%20need,for%20self-expression%20and%20altruism.
