Why does gamification motivate learners?
Why do 22 people gather on a muddy, cold field on a rainy day in February to kick a ball? Football is one of the greatest sports in the world and there are reasons for that. First, it is accessible to almost everyone through its simplicity and second - it has in its heart a goal and a great motivator: the desire to win.
Eliminate this goal and the game will immediately become redundant. Football, rugby, hockey, baseball and any other competitive activity rely on the competitive spirit to attract mass followers.
Now take this "motivating factor", apply it to learning and the result is "gamification". A simple concept that builds student engagement, helps to change perceptions and attitudes and develops skills through a practical, applied and in-depth approach to learning.
Although the full list is much longer, we present some of the benefits of gamification in training.
Makes learning fun and interesting
One of the key advantages of gamification is that it makes learning informative and exciting, mainly due to its interactivity. Role-playing and competitive elements make learning fun and interesting.
With gamification you can "get your hands dirty"
Gamification in learning allows learners to see the real applications and benefits of subjects. They can see first hand how their choice in the game leads to consequences or rewards.
Offers real-time feedback
Imagine if only once a year we take stock of how well we are doing in life. It's a bit strange that many organizations do performance reviews only on an annual basis, instead of more regularly. Gamification of learning allows learners to work towards measurable, meaningful goals in real time and receive feedback when those goals are achieved.
Gamification improves the learning experience:
1. More commitment to content
Gamification in e-learning offers learners the opportunity to engage with content in an effective and non-formal learning environment. If learners are excited about learning, they are more likely to learn more information.
2. More fun, effective learning
Gamification makes learning fun, so learners are much more likely to engage in a fun curriculum than a boring one.
3. Competition = motivation
Many people are motivated by competition. Gamification provides opportunities to compete with other learners - high results, awards and ranking in the leaderboard.
4. More cooperation
Students in gamified training programs can work to achieve group goals by collaborating in a team in a competitive environment. This encourages the sharing of ideas, debates, critical thinking and strategic thought processes.
Gamification increases learners' engagement, awareness and productivity, and we can say with confidence that the game is really useful in learning.