This document discusses using games and gamification as the primary design focus for developing online courses. It argues that play is how humans naturally learn and that games are expressions of play that can be practical for learning. Gamification, which is applying game elements in non-game settings, is proposed as an instructional design strategy that can increase engagement, assessment, and retention when applied holistically. The document explores various game mechanics, elements, and psychological principles that make gamification an effective approach.

1. Towards an Ecology of Play:
Using games and gamification as the
primary design focus for the
development of online courses

2. Jake Peterson, ABC
Designori, L.L.C.
Richard L. Webb, PhD
Kenai Peninsula College
Designori, L.L.C.
De’Signori

3. • Play is the native language of
human learning
• It is our original learning by doing
• Games are natural expressions
of human play and therefore
practical vehicles for learning

4. Gamification is…
the application of game elements
and processes in non-game or
pseudo-game settings in order to
replicate and enhance positive
user effects

5. Problem
Gamification is…
primarily used as an anecdotal
design tactic but is most
effectively utilized in a holistic
gaming environment

6. Solution
By applying games and
gamification as a holistic design
strategy significant gains in
engagement, assessment and
retention result

7. Games are a part of what we do as humans. From our earliest years
we learn through the use of games. We play patty-cake to learn
coordination. Then as young children game design seems to be an
intrinsic part of who we are as we modify, make-up, and repurpose the
schoolyard games we come in contact with, as we learn physical skills,
social dynamics, and problem solving. When we become older, games
become the escape from what we consider the norm, or from work.
I’m not sure when we begin to compartmentalize games as something
separate or removed from our regular experience. I propose that
games have always been a part of who we are, but for some reason
we often try to separate that experience as we grow older. I suggest
that in order to keep games as a part of our human experience that
we also make game design a part of our lives. For that reason it is
important to learn what elements make up the creation of a game.

8. OAccelerated Feedback Cycles
OClear goals and rules of play
OCompelling Narrative
OChallenging but achievable
tasks.
Ohttp://www.demandmetric.com/content/gamification-infographic

9. Mechanics
Mechanics is all about the rules and procedures of the game; it’s about what
can be done, what can’t be done, and what the goal is. All elements of a game
interact with each other. The mechanics of a game are supported by what the
technology for the game is able to do. The mechanics of a computer game
become clear to the player often through the incorporation of the story and
aesthetics of the game. We do many things for entertainment, including
games. Mechanics is the thing that separates games from other forms of
entertainment.

10. Aesthetics
The aesthetics are how the game looks, sounds, or feels. The aesthetics are
what initially draws the player into the game, and is often what the player
remembers about the game and how they describe it to others. Aesthetics may
be the game jingle that sticks in your head, and that you recognize after hearing
five notes, or may be the immersive way it draws you in so that you don’t even
realize that an hour of gameplay has gone on.

11. Technology
Technology is merely the tools that are used to play the game. In regular games
the technology may be as simple as paper and pencil, or a pair of dice. In
computer games it can be the keyboard, mouse, or touchscreen controls that
are used to interface with the game. The technology also refers to the
computer hardware that is used for the game, and the software that is used to
create and/or play the game.
http://edtech2.boisestate.edu/bretcrane/502/conceptmap.html

13. The basic psychological principle behind
gamification is to provide positive
reinforcement for each action taken. We
are an incentive driven world in that we
rarely do anything without expecting some
sort of pay off. Gamification helps to either
provide an incentive where one was
lacking, or to increase a current incentive.
This results in an elated feeling whenever
we receive a new badge or trophy.

14. Feedback is a basic User Experience principle with two parts
that make it essential.
1.It tells users that their intended action was registered.
2.It provides a cue as to how the system will respond to that
action.
Without feedback, users are left not knowing if they are
getting closer to their goal.
Feedback in games serves a similar purpose. It lets the user
know their intended action was registered and that the
system has responded in turn. It's also an immediate
indication that the user is getting closer to their goal.

15. Continually accomplishing
small goals in order to reach
a larger goal is often what
makes games addictive.

16. The pacing of this feedback is very
important. Too much feedback and the
user becomes inundated with information
overload. Too little and the user becomes
bored. The right amount will keep the user
in that engagement loop that keeps them
on the site and continuing to discover new
activities. As a business, you want external
forces to be the reason users step away,
not something the site does or lacks that
causes them to leave.

17. In gamification, feedback needs to occur
when the intended action occurs. Often
these actions are not obvious and users
may not even know they've accomplished a
goal without any feedback. Feedback tells
the user what they've done and serves as a
motivator to continue exploring actions.
Well designed feedback can be the
entryway into users' engagment with your
site.

18. OBadges and Achievements
OBadges and achievements are often
the method by which feedback is
provided. Modals and Growl/Toast
style notification are the most
common ways to display this to
users. Badges and achievements
also become a way to commodify
user actions.

19. OKlout Achievement example.
OThese become digital trophies, or digital items
that users can point to in order to show off what
they've accomplished. It creates bragging rights,
which plays into idea of competition that we'll
discuss later. As meaningless as they might
seem on the surface, they are actually great at
creating and driving motivation. On a cognitive
level, it's the equivalent of a a digital pat on the
back. This positive reinforcement helps affect
users on a different level than the non-gamified
site.

21. OMissions
OMissions are a related series of activities, often badge-earning, that
result in a bigger accomplishment. These should be more difficult
than badge activities and require deeper engagement from the user.
It's the same as the stages and levels metaphor used in traditional
video games. It's a way of creating scale and levels of accomplishment
in order to continually provide rewards and motivation for the user.
OThis multi-tiered approach is what drives the various levels of
motivation as well as encouraging deeper engagement with the site.
Pacing again plays a key role within missions in the same way as it
does with feedback and badges. Missions that are exceptionally long
will wear a user out before they finish, while missions that are too
short don't provide that increased level of accomplishment.

22. OProgress and Ranks
OThe sum of these badges and missions add up
to show a user's progress. Users can see what
level/rank they are or how many
badges/achievements they've received. This is
where users see how close they are to leveling
up. Users' progress is also often shown in
relation to other users. This is usually
accomplished via some type of leaderboard.
This helps provide social incentives for
continued progress by intrinsically motivating
users to become superior to their peer users.

24. OStackOverflow Reputation Rankings.
OIn games, such as the enormously popular Call
of Duty franchise, ranks are a way of
determining a user's expertise and/or
dedication. It creates, to some degree, a class
system. Users often rally around similar players
and tout their achievements. The same idea is
used in gamification to create levels of
dedication that users aspire to achieve.
Everyone wants to be the best and that rank
next to a user's name is a way of boasting how
close one is to achieving that.

25. OCompetition
OIt's human nature to compare ourselves
to others to see how we stack up. Many of
us become fiercely competitive, trying to
outpace and outsmart our way to the top.
User progress and badge collections
become a way to proclaim this superiority.
This is evidenced in manifestations such
as FourSquare's mayor system.

26. Users go back and forth trying to
outperform one another. Ideally, in the
process, users would increase
engagement and loyalty to the site.
Through game mechanics they have more
incentive to stay on the site and discover
all that it offers. On the business side,
increased time on site and page views add
up to increased advertising dollars.

28. Environments change
Two changes
E-Learning
G-Learning

29. “It is not the strongest of the species
that survives, nor the most intelligent
that survives. It is the one that is the
most adaptable to change.”
Darwin

30. O Play is the native language of human learning
O Games are natural expressions of human play
and therefore practical vehicles for learning
O Gamification is the use of games to enhance a
variety of positive effects and is proving to be
an effective instructional design strategy
O Gamification is