When we think of games, lots of things come to mind. Words like competition, fun, challenge and escape usually arise. But what if there was a way to use games to help tackle complex problems in the world or to help shape a positive change? This is the concept of gamification. The process of applying elements of game mechanics and game design to non-game contexts for practical, educational or marketing purposes is what drives this concept.
Gamification is the use of game elements in a non-game environment. This can include rewards, levels, leaderboards and more. It’s all about taking game-like elements and integrating them into real-life situations. This can lead to innovative digital solutions in various fields, such as education, healthcare, marketing, and even the development of games. Gamification can also motivate people to develop and hone their gaming problem-solving strategies.
Types of gamification
Gamification isn't just one-size-fits-all. Depending on the context, it can take different forms, for different reasons and for different target audiences. In this section, we take a look at three of the most popular types of gamification: education, marketing and healthcare.
Education gamification
Education gamification means using game elements in your teaching. This can include rewards for progress made, leaderboards for high-performing students, and using a quest-like narrative to deliver subject material in an exciting and engaging way. Doing so can make learning fun and challenging - even for the most difficult topics.
Gamification can also help assess how students are engaging with the material. Teachers and parents can both monitor and assess how well their students fare in the game. This can give both parties an indication of the student’s competency and weaknesses. Thus, this can be especially beneficial for special needs students.
Marketing gamification
Gamification can be used in marketing as well. Businesses can use game elements to increase customer engagement. This includes loyalty rewards, referral programmes and giveaways. Such initiatives can increase brand awareness and help foster a sense of community around the brand. Furthermore, gamified loyalty programmes can help to differentiate themselves from their competition - making the marketing strategy even more impressive.
Healthcare gamification
In terms of healthcare, gamification can help to facilitate better patient outcomes. Healthcare professionals can leverage game mechanisms to not only motivate individuals to take control of their health, but also to make the healthcare process easier. There are also many educational games that can help to inform people regarding their health and wellness. Doing so can especially benefit those with chronic illnesses, as they can better understand their condition and how to manage it.
Examples of gamification in use
Gamification has been implemented in many different contexts. These include fitness apps, educational games and branded loyalty rewards.
Fitness apps
Fitness apps are a great example of gamification. Such apps employ leaderboards, rewards and challenges to motivate users to stick to their exercise regimes. This can give them a sense of accomplishment or friendly competition that keeps them exercising and also learning more about their bodies.
Educational games
Educational games put the fun into learning. Apart from basic learning games such as flashcards, there are also online educational games that can help children learn new languages, master math concepts, and understand history. Such games often blend the content with the game elements, making it both entertaining and educational.
Branded loyalty rewards
Brands have taken to offering loyalty rewards as a way of creating customer loyalty and engagement. Such programs allow customers to earn reward points for every purchase, which can be redeemed for discounts or gifts. This gives customers a sense of progress and encourages them to keep returning for the rewards.
The role of positive reinforcement in gamification
The concept of positive reinforcement is an essential element of gamification. Positive reinforcement means reinforcing small successes or milestones. As a result, it can have a positive effect in motivating people who strive to reach their goals. Positive reinforcement is especially beneficial for younger age groups, as it gives them an incentive to progress and succeed.
How it works for different age groups
For younger age groups, positive reinforcement can motivate them to learn and overcome difficulties. Rewards, such as grades or a leaderboard position, can provide immediate gratification that fuels their motivation. For older age groups, however, a different strategy is needed - one that is tailored to their experience level. For example, self-improvement and mastery of skills can be rewarded to help motivate them to keep improving.
The benefit that motivational strategies have
Motivational techniques, such as positive reinforcement, can help to encourage engagement in game play and learning. Such techniques can also stimulate creativity and problem-solving skills as players come up with different strategies. This encourages them to think outside the box and come up with innovative solutions for their goals.
The impact of gamification
The effectiveness of gamification has been proven over time. In education, for example, gamified learning can promote the development of cognitive, analytical, and problem-solving skills. Such skills have been found to have a positive impact on student performance in academic tasks, as well as their overall engagement in the learning process. Likewise, in the workplace, gamification can help increase motivation and foster creativity.
How to get started with gamification
Getting started with gamification is relatively straightforward. The key is to identify the goal of the game and then create buy-in around its mission. This means determining what benefits and rewards players can earn, as well as the various levels and goals they need to complete. Then, game elements can be added to increase engagement, such as leaderboards, awards, and in-game rewards. Finally, the game needs to be promoted and refined over time to ensure continuous engagement and progress.
As you can see, gamification is a powerful tool for changing behavior, driving engagement, and enhancing learning. By utilizing game mechanisms, such as positive reinforcement and rewards, gamification can bring new dynamics, excitement and reward to any environment. Overall, gamification has the power to make complex tasks fun, motivating and rewarding.