Gamification

Definition and fundamental principles of Gamification

Gamification is a strategy based on applying game elements and mechanics, such as competition, achievements, rewards and narrative, to settings such as education or the business world. The technique has proven to be highly effective in corporate training, improving participation, motivation and commitment, and also providing employees with more attractive and engaging experiences.

Various types of gamification can be implemented depending on a company’s needs and objectives, but on a basic level, it requires a combination of three key elements: mechanics, dynamics and aesthetics.

• Mechanics: These are the fundamental elements that allow participants to get involved in the ‘game’, such as the rules, avatar (representative of the player in the game world), levels and scoring system.
• Dynamics: Dynamics are changeable elements that stir the interest of participants and motivate them to play. Some of the main dynamics of gamification include challenges and rewards.
• Aesthetics: Finally, aesthetics simply refers to the design of the whole experience, which should translate into a friendly, intuitive and attractive interface. When aesthetics work correctly, users feel comfortable and confident to experiment.

The benefits of Gamification for learning and skill development

Gamification is one of the most powerful modern tools available for learning and skill development, offering numerous applications and benefits:

Interactive learning

Gamification transforms otherwise mundane learning processes into interactive experiences that heighten knowledge retention.

Motivation and commitment

Gamification is also the ideal tool to help provoke student interest in training by offering challenges and rewards that encourage participation. Additionally, it has been shown that gamification can improve motivation and engagement by up to 48%.

Soft skills development

Making use of game elements promotes the development of soft skills such as teamwork, problem-solving and effective communication. This is achieved by integrating features such as challenges, projects or competitions, where team members need to collaborate and speak clearly to achieve objectives.

Formative evaluation

Integrating gamification into assessment processes provides students with continuous feedback that helps them improve and better retain key concepts.

How to design an effective Gamification strategy to improve participation

Let’s take a look at an example of a gamification strategy designed to improve employee participation. To effectively carry out the strategy, you must take into account several important aspects:

1. The objectives

No strategy can be successful without clear objectives, and gamification is no exception to this. Therefore, the crucial first step is to define the specific goals and objectives that you want to achieve through gamification. In our example, the main objective is to boost participation.

2. The target audience

Understanding the characteristics and preferences of the training audience is vital to developing a working gamification strategy. When planning dynamics, utilize elements that will attract users’ attention based on their tastes or preferences.

3. The design

Creating an effective gamification experience depends on the perception of the users. If a game is easy to understand and use, it’s likely to be reflected in high user engagement. On the other hand, an over-complicated design could lead to participants becoming distracted or demotivated.

4. Feedback

Finally, in order to design an effective gamification strategy that improves participation, you’ll need to implement consistent feedback systems to guide participants and improve their performance throughout the training.

Gamification is one of the most powerful modern tools available for learning and skill development, and when implemented correctly it can transform the way employees participate, learn, and connect with your company.

So, if you want to transform your training into a fun and unique experience, then isEazy Game is the e-learning tool for you. Our easy-to-use gamification app helps break down your training content into simple dynamics, challenges and games to captivate your employees while they learn. Multiply your training results by 10 and offer your employees a learning experience they won’t be able to put down!