Designing Compelling Gamified Learning Platforms for Optimal Learning Outcomes

The level of concentration that students used to have a couple of decades ago is not the same case with the current generations, and hence the traditional way of imparting knowledge is not as effective as it used to be before. This is mainly due to the less attention span that children nowadays have and the patience level required to immerse themselves for hours listening to lengthy lectures or studying in a hall of a library. In other words, young people are grappling to focus on something essential or complex information with their minds wandering like clouds do in the sky.

eLearning developers are aware of this situation and hence, they introduce a unique feature within the virtual courseware such as a gamified learning platform to engage the learners -- be it students or trainees. We will understand more about gamified learning platforms in the subsequent section and how they can be helpful for learners to grasp even complex concepts easily.

Table Of Contents:

• More about the Reasons Why Learners Aren't Quick at Absorbing the Concepts

• Understanding Gamification and Gamified Learning Platforms -- An Overview

• Core Elements of Gamification -- Points, Badges, Leaderboards, and Progress Bars

• How Can Gamified Learning Platforms Help Learners to Enhance Their Knowledge Exponentially?

More about the Reasons Why Learners Aren't Quick at Absorbing the Concepts

There are multiple reasons why Generation Z aren't able to learn as quickly as generations before them and they have been listed in the below section.

One of the primary reasons for the same is obsession with smaller devices -- such as smartphones and tablets -- to which the younger generation is hooked on.

Elaborately put, information is bombarded in the form of bite-sized content by smartphones, conditioning their brains to crave for immediate gratification coupled with instant rewards.

Due to this reason, the younger generation is not able to focus on the intricacies or minor details of a topic while understanding a concept, and hence, they find sitting and assimilation of convoluted knowledge as a herculean task.

Adding to this condition is the high level of competition that the current generation has to face to stand apart. For a seat in a college or to get promoted to a higher position, they need to have a thorough understanding of their stream, and there are many who are competing for the same seat or position.

Most importantly, the presence of social media and other distracting apps complicates the situation, as they are tempted to look at them very frequently ignoring the current task at hand.

To best understand this situation, think about a teenager who has to choose between hitting the books and hanging out with friends or seeing these social media websites -- the choice is often painfully clear. Thus, there is an obvious relentless tug-of-war for their time that makes it immensely difficult for traditional teaching methods to hold their interest.

This is exactly where gamified learning platforms with examples can be helpful as they would capture the attention of the learners since most of them like gaming and it is rewarding too when they cross each level.

Understanding Gamification and Gamified Learning Platforms -- An Overview

When gamification is introduced in the eLearning courseware, it can completely transform any kind of mundane training session or school chapter into something interesting while enriching the knowledge of the learners.

On the other hand, a gamified eLearning platform contains various types of game-like elements resembling everyday phenomena occurring around the students or any work-related tasks pertaining to a workplace -- both can be a big boon for educational institutes as well as for companies.

It is necessary to draw a distinction between gamification and game-based learning; the former (gamification) refers to including playful elements in eLearning courses to enliven traditional realms, while the latter is a straightforward educator employing actual games as pedagogical tools.

For example, game-based learning examples can be included in the school curriculum to make any tough concepts clear. Similarly, gamified eLearning platforms can be used in industries or companies to train employees regarding any work or any specialized task before asking them to work in the actual field.

Core Elements of Gamification -- Points, Badges, Leaderboards, and Progress Bars

Gamification can help to make mundane training/school classroom sessions enjoyable and interesting through the infusion of game-like elements into eLearning courseware, making learning more like an exhilarating quest. Thus, gamified learning platforms completely change the way knowledge is absorbed by the individuals and they no longer see knowledge absorption as a tedious or burdening task.

Add to it the rewards in the form of points --- the digital currency of engagement, they earn after completing each module or attainment of given goals, serving as a potent motivator to explore and learn more.

Additionally, through game-based learning, they can earn badges -- the shiny trophies for their thorough mastery of the topic -- and thus, an achievement, igniting learners' instinct.

Also, the presence of leaderboards -- more of the digital arenas of competition, aids in a big manner to cause a healthy rivalry among students so that they can ascend to the top of the podium.

Additionally, the useful embedded features such as progress bars help learners to discern how close they are to the destination of completing the subject matter. Thus, this aspect offers a clear roadmap to the learners, especially to have a subject's comprehensive understanding; this way learners stay clung to the learning process and hungry for the finish line.

How Can Gamified Learning Platforms Help Learners to Enhance Their Knowledge Exponentially?

Gamified learning platforms with examples are nothing short of a magical wonder drug when it comes to providing training sessions or conducting classroom lectures to make the learning task enjoyable. In many ways, it helps to get rid of the malaise of disengagement and bring a smile to the students' faces.

Imagine a situation wherein the students are learning with full enthusiasm or the workforce is completely involved in the training sessions. Thus, the knowledge-absorbing exercise is no longer a mundane chore but a vibrant, interactive playground where learning is a thrilling adventure.

With eLearning providers sprinkling in a dash of game-like elements into customized gamified eLearning courseware, students' curiosity is ignited and their competitive spirit is fueled and they gradually turn out into voracious knowledge seekers.

Another example would be a situation where students are quietly nodding their heads listening to the professor's lecture without paying much attention. It’s not the lecturer's fault over here as he is trying to explain the concept in the best possible way but since it has become a daily routine task for students there is a high possibility that they might not be that attentive.

On the other hand, when the same set of learners are asked to learn concepts on a gamified learning platform with various characters and levels in it after a short lecture, they are able to involve themselves and participate actively.

To check how well students or trainees have mastered the concept, there is an option within the eLearning platform that allows learners to take game-based quizzes or tests. This helps the learning and development team or the teachers to understand the level of confidence and knowledge that the individuals have gained.

Such kind of initiative not only makes learning interesting and fun but also helps the learners to focus more on what’s needed and enkindles that curiosity to learn more about the subject matter.

More importantly with game learning platforms, it becomes possible to cater to every student's unique learning style and pace — truly amazing and impactful in every sense.

Conclusion

Game learning platforms have the capability to bring interest in learners and help them understand intricate concepts as they interact and then learn them.

If you as a company or educational Institute want to include gaming-based elements in your eLearning platforms then you can contact VK Creative Learning.