Using game mechanics like goals, feedback, and rewards can increase engagement in eLearning by motivating learners in similar ways as video games. Gamification works best when the game elements directly support learning objectives. Designers should provide guidance to help learners progress towards goals and give frequent feedback to maintain engagement through rewarding feelings of accomplishment. Testing assumptions early is important to improve the design.

1. GAMIFICATION
Using Game Mechanics to Enhance eLearning
TH202 Twitter: @trickyraymer

2. RICK RAYMER
Gaming and Simulation Coordinator
Twitter: @trickyraymer

3. When should
video games be
included in
eLearning?

5. Clark & Meyer: E-Learning
and the Science of Instruction
• When the goals, rules, activities, feedback, and
consequences of the game or simulation can be
aligned to the desired learning outcomes
• When structure and guidance to help learners is
provided to reach instructional goals
• However, open-ended games and simulations
that require unguided exploration should be
avoided

6. SUMMARY
Only use games if they directly
support your education goals.
Make learning essential to the game.

7. Why are video games so popular?
What do they do well?

8. ENGAGEMENT
Occupying the
attention or the
efforts of a person

9. ENGAGEMENT
Occurs when
the BRAIN is
REWARDED

10. Rewards must evoke
EMOTION from the learner!

11. WANTING

12. LIKING

13. WANTING+LIKING=REWARDING

14. Dr. Kent Berridge
• University of Michigan
Neuroscientist
• Researches the causes of
addiction
• Has found wanting and liking
to occur in two different part
of the brain

15. Games are not
engaging because
they’re games,
but when they are
designed to be
rewarding!

16. What is
Gamification?

17. Gamification: The use of gameplay
mechanics for non-game applications.

18. Example: What game
mechanics in this game could
be applied to E-Learning?

19. Example: What game
mechanics in this game could
be applied to E-Learning?

20. Set Goals and Objectives

21. Set Goals and Objectives

22. GOAL STRUCTURE
Objective 1
Objective 2
Objective 3 Goal 1
Objective 4
Objective 5

23. GOAL STRUCTURE
Goal 1
Goal 2
Goal 3 Topic 1
Goal 4
Goal 5

24. GOAL STRUCTURE
Topic 1
Topic 2
Topic 3 Module 1
Topic 4
Topic 5

25. GOAL STRUCTURE
Module 1
Module 2
Module 3 Course 1
Module 4
Module 5

26. LINEAR STRUCTURE

27. HUB SYSTEMS

28. HUB SYSTEMS

29. HUB SYSTEMS

30. OPTIMAL FLOW

31. FLOW of GAMES

32. FLOW of LEARNING

33. Set Goals and Objectives
- Give the Learner Choices

34. Set Goals and Objectives
- Give the Learner Choices
- Create Time Sensitive Objectives

35. Frequent Feedback

36. Frequent Feedback
As a designer, one of your
most important jobs is to
MAKE YOUR LEARNERS
FEEL CLEVER.

37. Measure Progress

38. Measure Progress
- Visual Representation
of Experience

39. Reward Effort

40. Reward Effort
- Incremental Rewards

41. Reward Effort
- Incremental Rewards
- Reward Schedules

42. Reward Schedules
Three Main Components:
• Prerequisite – Why did I get this reward?
• Response – How is the reward presented?
• Reinforcer – What is the appropriate reward?
(momentary or persistent)
Two Types of Reward Schedules:
• Interval – Based on time.
‣Fixed – Low engagement immediately after the reward,
that increases as the next reward approaches.
‣Variable – Random within a window of time.
• Ratio – Based on completing actions.
‣Fixed – Given after a set number of actions, which can
include after every action.
‣Variable – Random within a window of actions.

43. Reward Effort
- Incremental Rewards
- Reward Schedules
- Probability and Danger

44. Reward Effort
- Incremental Rewards
- Reward Schedules
- Probability and Danger
- Adaptive Systems

45. - Adaptive Systems
- Negative Feedback Loop

46. Elements of Chance

47. Elements of Chance
- Surprise and Delight

48. Moments of Intense
Attention

49. Peer Motivation

50. Suggestions for
Specific Project
Phases

51. Pre-Concept Phase

52. Think Outside the Box

53. Think Outside the Box
-Know the Box

54. Expand Your Horizons

55. Expand Your Horizons
Alternate Reality Adaptive Learning
/Wearables Systems

56. Play Games

57. Brainstorm
- Individually & In Groups

58. Brainstorm
-Never Dismiss Ideas As Stupid

59. The Well Is Deep

60. Concept Phase

61. Know Your Audience

62. Stay True to the Brand

63. Have a Hook

64. Improved Presentations

65. Use CGI or Illustrations

66. Use Peripherals That Mimic
Manual Dexterity Skills
- Develop for a Game Console

67. Test Assumptions

68. Paper Test

69. Paper Test

70. Test Early & Often

71. Summary
• Increase engagement by rewarding learners
(wanting+liking=rewarding)
• Provide feedback and show progress on clearly
stated goals and objectives
• Reward effort, not just successes
• Gain attention with surprise and delight
• Build systems that allow peer interaction
• Know your audience and brand
• Improve your presentations with better art
and technology
• Test assumptions early and often

72. Thank You!
RICK RAYMER
rraymer@ncbionetwork.org