There once was a myth that the world was flat, and it became a belief for many individuals. However, through research, observation and discovery, the scientific community proved the world is spherical. The focus for learning leaders is similar in that they too must be able to separate fact from myth to determine which tools are effective and which are just trendy.
Consider the concept of gamification. The idea has been held up as either the promise of gaining and forever holding learners’ attention, or as a manipulative tool to trick learners into doing something they don’t really want to do. The truth is not so dramatic. Gamification is a tool in learning professionals’ tool kit with advantages and disadvantages in different situations and environments.
Simply, gamification is an emergent approach to instruction. It facilitates learning and encourages motivation using game elements, mechanics and game-based thinking. Thanks to the hype and misinformation swirling around this learning delivery method, four popular myths have developed. Understanding these can help to avoid pitfalls when integrating gamification into strategic learning plans.
Myth One: Gamification and Games Are the Same
Game-based learning uses an actual game to teach knowledge and skills. A learning game is a self-contained unit with a definitive start, game play and ending. Learners know they are engaged in a game activity, and at the end there is a “win state.” Games can deliver different types of learning content in different settings.
Gamification, on the other hand, only uses a few game elements. Learners don’t play an entire game from start to finish; they participate in activities that include video or mobile game elements such as earning points, overcoming a challenge or receiving badges for accomplishing tasks.
Game-based learning is often used as a one-time instructional event to provide formal learning either online or within a classroom. Learning games are best suited to teach tradeoffs, resource allocation and decision-making.
Gamification does not typically occur in a classroom; it is often delivered to a learner’s computer, tablet or smartphone in two- to five-minute increments. It is a formal structure, but learners can engage with the content when and wherever they happen to be. The content is usually distributed over time, and is not meant to be learned in one setting. Content for gamification varies but is often focused on safety policies, product specifications, customer service, onboarding new employees and other information employees need to be reminded of regularly.
Myth Two: Gamification Alienates Older Learners
It is a myth that people of a certain age do not like games and, therefore, will not like gamification. The flip side is that anyone under age 30 likes games and, therefore, will love all gamification efforts. Neither is true. Some employees don’t like online learning, classroom instruction or any kind of training. There is no single training approach that every employee is going to embrace.
This is part of a larger myth that older people don’t play video games. According to the Entertainment Software Association’s 2013 report “Gamers Over 50 Study: You’re Never Too Old to Play,” 48 percent of adults age 50 and older say they play video games. Some 80 percent of those play weekly, while 45 percent play daily. The report indicated that gamers who are 50 years old preferred games that mimicked traditional forms of play such as card or tile games (56 percent), puzzle/logic games (52 percent), and trivia, word and board games (27 percent).
Companies can use gamification with employees of all ages on a range of topics including retail and health care sales, and learning about insurance products. For example, Pep Boys, an automotive retail chain, had a 95 percent employee voluntary participation rate in its gamification efforts for employees of all ages.
The average age of employees within a workforce is not an accurate barometer of whether an organization should employ gamification in its learning strategy. A better barometer is to look at what type of content needs to be learned and how often it needs to be reinforced and practiced to have the desired bottom-line impact.
Gamification is helpful for scenarios where leaders have to continually update workforce knowledge and it does not need to occur in a classroom. For instance, a mobile sales force selling technical products such as cellphone services and subscriptions would be an excellent target audience for gamification delivered via mobile device.
Employees who have been on the job for several years also could benefit. Often organizations have a well-designed onboarding program where new employees receive a great deal of initial training, but in the subsequent years, companies don’t offer as much. Rather than drag them back into the classroom, gamification techniques can be used to refresh their knowledge.
Gamification can also help new employees get to know one another through activities that foster collaboration and cooperation, and learn about the company’s policies, vision, mission and products. Software company SAP used gamification to keep recruited students in India interested in the onboarding process by inviting new hires to participate and win medals by answering trivia questions about the company.
Myth Three: There Is No Science Behind Gamification
The most effective gamification platforms use two learning practices — retrieval practice and spaced retrieval. Combined, these techniques provide a strong foundation to increase learning and retention.
Retrieval practice requires learners to recall information rather than re-read or re-listen to the material. Basically, it tests the learner, not for a grade or to evaluate, but to help improve content recall and retention. Research dating back as far as 1907 supports use of retrieval practice as an instructional method. Georgia Southern University professor John Dobson conducted a study in 2013 that found that using a series of very brief retrieval quizzes enhanced retention of previously tested material as much as 40 percent.
Spaced retrieval provides learners with content spaced over time rather than all at once. Researchers Shana Carpenter, Nicholas Cepeda, Doug Rohrer, Sean Kang and Harold Pashler summarized dozens of studies on the topic in their 2012 article “Using Spacing to Enhance Diverse Forms of Learning: Review of Recent Research and Implications for Instruction.” The researchers conclude: “The literature reviewed here suggests that in order to promote long-term retention of knowledge, students should receive spaced re-exposure to previously learned information … [especially] if the goal is long-term retention.”
When learners receive content on a daily or weekly basis and are quizzed on that content with some additional game elements, the effect is long-term retention and knowledge application. When considering gamification as an organizational learning approach, ensure the sound research-based methods of spaced retrieval and retrieval practice are an integral part of the solution.
Myth Four: Gamification Is About Points, Badges and Leaderboards
The least exciting element of any game is the points, badges or leaderboards. People don’t play a game just for points, they play for mastery, to overcome challenges and to socialize with others. The most effective gamification efforts include more than points and badges — they contain elements of story, challenge and continual feedback as well as a high level of interactivity. These are the most engaging elements in games, and they can have a big effect on the organization.
Mike Keeler, vice president of operations at Capital BlueCross, said a well-designed gamification effort can help motivate employees. “They want to know [their scores] versus us wanting to know it. That’s a huge change in the learning environment.”
Incorporating Gamification Into Learning Strategy
When considering whether to integrate gamification into learning and development strategy, ensure that efforts are not simply a “bolt on” of meaningless, superficial game elements. Employees need to have a structure and a framework to participate in the gamification effort. Clearly describe the challenge before them, provide transparency into how they can be successful and provide an explanation of gamification. These steps can lead to better learning, retention and ultimately increased bottom-line results.
Debunking the common myths of gamification is a good start to intelligently incorporate this approach into a learning strategy. Gamification is best used for subjects that require reinforcement over time and that should be front of mind for employees. Its implementation should be based on the concepts of spaced retrieval and retrieval practice to ensure a solid scientific base. And the focus should be on the learning and expected outcome of the instructional event.
Gamification can provide an edge in learning delivery when it is designed, developed and deployed properly. The effort should not focus solely on points, badges and leaderboards. Learning leaders must understand desired learning outcomes, and structure gamification efforts as an integral part of a larger strategy.
Karl M. Kapp is a professor of instructional technology at Bloomsburg University and author of “The Gamification of Learning and Instruction” and “The Gamification of Learning and Instruction Fieldbook: Theory Into Practice.” He can be reached at editor@CLOmedia.com.