This document discusses gamification in training and provides tips for effectively implementing gamification. It begins with an overview of ELB Learning and their gamification products and services. It then lists 10 common mistakes made with gamification and provides recommendations to address each mistake, such as focusing on learning objectives not just fun, using the right type of game, providing feedback, and analyzing results. The document encourages using a blended approach and social elements for better learning outcomes. It presents The Training Arcade and CenarioVR as gamification platforms that address these best practices.
How to Fix the 10 Biggest Mistakes in Gamification
1.
2. ELB Learning® offers an
extensive suite of products
and services to conquer any
training challenge with
measurable results.
CREATING & DELIVERING
BETTER LEARNING
EXPERIENCES
3. ELB Learning® offers an
extensive suite of products
and services to conquer any
training challenge with
measurable results.
CREATING & DELIVERING
BETTER LEARNING
EXPERIENCES
4. How to Fix the 10 Biggest
Mistakes in Gamification
5. A Little Bit About Me
PRODUCT OF 70s FORMER MARKETING DIRECTOR CHIEF CREATIVE OFFICER
9. Gaming by Generation
According to the ESA, 68% of American Adults Play Video Games*
<18
18 – 34
35 – 54
65+
Gamers
by Age
*SOURCE: ESA 2021 Study / US Department of Labor
US
Workforce
by Age
20%
38%
6%
9%
26%
55 – 64
27%
22%
8%
23%
20%
<25
25 – 41
42 – 57
77+
58 – 76
11. 1. You’re Only Focused on Fun
● Avoid chocolate covered broccoli
● Start with understanding the skills
you need to train
● Ensure the tasks and questions are
meaningful and relevant to the job
● Add questions that model the
correct way of doing things AND
highlight misconceptions to help
people learn from their mistakes.
12. 1. You’re Only Focused on Fun
Choose a game type that effectively supports your
learning objectives. Not all games are created equal.
Recall
(assessment)
Categorize
(sorting)
Emphasize
(branching)
Articulate
(word play)
Decode
(investigation)
Visualize
(memory)
Identifying
The Right Game
For Your
Performance
Objectives
14. 2. You Don’t Understand How Games & Gamification Differ
GAMES
structured form of play,
usually undertaken for
entertainment or fun, and
sometimes used as an
educational tool
GAMIFICATION
the application of typical
elements of game playing
(e.g., point, competition,
rewards, etc.) to daily
activities to encourage
engagement.
15. 3. You Aren’t Adding Feedback
• Effective feedback allows you to
capitalize on the moment of need, a
reaction, a hint, a link to a resource, or a
more detailed explanation.
Feedback should be relevant to the learner’s mistake
• Leverage a scenarios games to
show learners the real-world
impact of their choices.
16. 4. Your Game Structure is Flawed
● Create bite-sized microlearning
games that include a variety of
question types
● For multiple choice - make sure your
distractors are not obvious, silly or
irrelevant
17. 4. Your Game Structure is Flawed
If all the question types are the same or the game is too long,
learners will not stay engaged.
multi-select linkage polls image match
sorting
sentence
scramble
word
scramble
text input
18. 5. Your Rewards or Prizes are not Motivating Enough
Not everyone is motivated by competition.
Overemphasizing competition can alienate your audience.
Avoid these pitfalls:
● Everyone should get a reward on the
team
● Rewards should match the audience -
consider non-competitive rewards.
● Reward actual learning AND application
● If you use a theme for gamification, make
sure it resonates with your audience.
19. 5. Your Rewards or Prizes are not Motivating Enough
● Tap into extrinsic motivation -- allow learners to earn:
Cash Gift Cards Company Swag
Vacation Days Lunch w/ Boss
● Allow individuals and groups to earn prizes
● Launch bracket style competitions
● Present podium style recognition
● Recognize winners daily, weekly, or monthly
20. 5. Your Rewards or Prizes are not Motivating Enough
● Encourage employees to earn points for
completing tasks
● Allow points to accumulate across different
activities
● Foster individual and group competition
● Present employee’s names (or initials) on a
leaderboard to celebrate success
● Drive learners to come back repeatedly to
improve their score, grow their points, and
climb the leaderboard - along the way the
content will sink into their long-term memory
21. 5. Your Rewards or Prizes are not Motivating Enough
Achievers
Explorers
Fighters
Socializers
Collector
becoming better at what I do
Expert
mastering a skill
Navigator
discovering new horizons
Detective
solving problems
Killer
winning in any way
Coach
feeling useful
Rockstar
being praised & recognized
Competitor
winning in fair competition
22. 6. You Have Too Much Text
● Use multimedia elements to:
○ preview or organize topics
○ highlight key concepts
○ simplify complex information
○ show information in action
Multimedia elements can make the game more relatable
Distracting, cluttered,
or irrelevant multimedia
will confuse learners and
take them away from
your main message.
23. 7. You Don’t Know Your Audience
● Know your team, consider allowing
learners to create aliases to hide their
identity
● Be sure to select a game that will be
relevant you your audience
Showing the leaderboard can be motivating but stressful for others
24. ● Help your learners engage with each other
● The more collaborative your games are, the more effective they will be, and the more
likely people will learn what they need to learn
8. You’re Not Making it Social
25. 9. You’re Not Using Blended Learning
Instructor Led Game Based
Virtual Reality On The Job
26. 10. You’re Not Analyzing Results
LEADERBOARDS TRAINER ANALYTICS
FOR
LEARNERS
FOR
TRAINERS
27. 10. You’re Not Analyzing Results
● 2,500 Games
● 1M+ Learners
● 3:54 Minutes Per Game Session
● 57% of Learners Played 3+ times
● 58% Improvement Knowledge
Between 1st & 3rd Session (12 minutes)
28. ● Compare scores, sessions, and accuracy to measure effectiveness over time
● Rewrite questions that are always answered correctly (too easy) or never
answered correctly (too difficult)
● Add practice games and/or encourage repeat play for games with low accuracy
● Add challenging games for high scorers
● Replace, redesign, or retire games that no one is playing
● Introduce new games on days or times that people are most likely to be engaged
● Analyze your trainers as well as your learners
10. You Are Not Analyzing Results
29. The Training Arcade Games
10 Game Types
Publish as URL,
SCORM / xAPI
or Embed Code
Option to Schedule
Availability of Game
Leaderboard &
Comprehensive Analytics
5 Question Types in 20 Languages
Option to Copy Game
for Alternative Versions
SSO Integration or
Endless Registration
Fields
Option to Limit Question
and/or Game Time
and/or Sessions / Learner
Option to Set
Pass / Fail Requirements
Option to Turn on
Tutorial and/or Game
Context Screen
Single-player and
Multiplayer Games
Option to Add Images
or Video to Questions
and Feedback
Sample Games Video
30. The Training Arcade Gamification
Missions Journeys Incentives
Publish as URL, SCORM / xAPI
or Embed Code
Customizable Branding
Platform Video
Solo Play Battle Mode Team Play
Points, Badges, &
Leaderboards
Achievements Prizes
Comprehensive
Analytics
Experience Points
(XP)
Notifications
31. Thanks for attending!
for questions
contact:
sbaer@elblearning.com
schedule a demo
and a free trial for
The Training Arcade®
Get a free trial for
CenarioVR® or request a demo
at https://cenariovr.com/
32. Thanks for attending!
for questions
contact:
sbaer@elblearning.com
schedule a demo
and a free trial for
The Training Arcade®
QR Code Needed For
https://thetrainingar
cade.com/free-trial/
schedule a demo
and a free trial for
CenarioVR®
QR Code Needed For
CenarioVR®
Stephen Baer
Chief Creative Officer, ELB Learning
