Gamification in eLearning: Global Trends to Keep an Eye On!

By Snehnath Neendoor | E-learning, Higher Education | Comments are Closed | 7 December, 2023 | 0

Summary

This article explores the impact of gamification in education. It discusses the benefits of gamification and the emerging global trends that can enhance its application.

Gamification has been redefining learning experiences in the digital learning space in recent years. Driven by engaging content and interactive technology, gamification in eLearning has emerged as a popular approach to education. As eLearning continues to gain momentum, gamification trends indicate that it is set for a long run in this sphere.

This article explores gamification in education and discusses emerging global trends.

Let’s get started!

What Is Gamification in eLearning?

Gamification involves integrating and using gameplay techniques and elements in a non-gaming ecosystem. While gamification can be incorporated in traditional teaching environments, its application in eLearning shows tremendous potential.

In the context of eLearning, gamification leverages interactive teaching methodologies to motivate learners and enhance engagement. By infusing game-like elements, it draws on the aspect of fun to turn learning into a dynamic experience.

Benefits of Gamification in eLearning

Gamified eLearning offers significant benefits to learners. Here, we take a quick look at some of the top benefits of gamification in learning.

1. Increases Learner Engagement

The application of gamification techniques in eLearning environments enhances learner engagement. Gamification provides challenges, goals, rewards, and feedback, thus motivating learners to engage, compete, and earn recognition. It appeals to their desires of accomplishment and satisfaction. This, in turn, helps improve their learning outcomes. According to a study, 72% of people are motivated by gamification to work harder and accomplish tasks.

2. Promotes Knowledge Retention

From college courses to workforce development, increasing knowledge retention is necessary in education. However, this presents a challenge for many learners. Content gamification enables learners to absorb information in an interactive and fun-filled way. This is because gamification uses game-like elements in eLearning, such as rewards, points, etc. These elements and notions of play serve as incentives for learners to engage with the content in a meaningful way. As such, they are more likely to retain the information in the long run.

3. Stimulates Leaner Curiosity

Gamification in education is constantly evolving. AI in gamification is creating more personalized and adaptive pathways to seek knowledge. It enables content creation that can match the skills and interests of learners and consider their unique learning styles. Such an amalgamation of AI and gamification in education helps stimulate curiosity among learners.

4. Boosts Healthy Competition

Gamification in eLearning fosters healthy competition. When educational content is presented in a gamified form, learners can observe their performance in real time. Using gamified features like leaderboards, scores, rankings, etc., instills a sense of competition and motivates learners to perform better.

Students can identify their strengths and recognize the areas that need improvement. Thus, gamification techniques encourage healthy competition that doesn’t place learners against one another. Instead, it enables students to take ownership of their own education and fill in the gaps.

Also Read: How To Use Gamification In Your Corporate Microlearning?

Emerging Global Trends in eLearning

Even as gamification in education continues gaining traction, Artificial Intelligence has been elevating this technology to a new level. Here are some of the emerging global trends in eLearning that have the potential to redesign the future of education:

1. Adaptive Learning

For a long time, traditional education systems have thrived on the concept of one-size-fits-all. But with the arrival of gamification in education, this concept is losing steam. Gamification is creating pathways to personalize the learning experience through adaptive learning.

This approach can adjust educational content and pace based on a learner’s preference, performance, and learning goals. Adaptive tools and technologies enable the development of learning activities and challenges that address the specific needs of learners. These tools and technologies can also offer feedback and support. Such a personalized learning approach can enhance user engagement and improve learning outcomes.

2. Immersive Technologies

Immersive technologies have the potential to make a significant impact on gamification in eLearning.

Immersive technologies enable the creation of interactive virtual environments. These virtual environments can engage learners’ senses. They can expand the scope of gamification in learning by creating experiences that generate curiosity and drive engagement.

Immersive technologies like virtual and augmented reality can intensify learning scenarios and ultimately enhance learning outcomes. Such experiences can enable learners to interact with the content more meaningfully. They can also be used to create engaging gamified narratives that stimulate the imagination of learners.

3. Microlearning

The preference for faster and snappier solutions is on the rise. As per a survey, the completion rate of a microlearning course is 83% compared to 20% to 30% for standard learning courses. Learners today prefer concise information to lengthy lectures and learning materials. Microlearning is proving to be the answer to this demand.

Microlearning refers to learning content in small modules, making it easier to digest. When complex topics are broken down into concise units, learners can engage with them at their own pace. When incorporated into gamified learning, it can make learning more efficient and memorable.

For instance, short tutorials and video demos can help learners to enhance their knowledge. Interactive quizzes can enable learners to assess their progress during their learning journey. Microlearning can help learners access relevant content on the go whenever required.

4. Data Analytics

Data analytics encompasses the accumulation and analysis of data to gain insights that can be used to enhance learning experiences.

Data analytics can improve gamified learning by offering feedback and guidance based on analysis. eLearning platforms can use such feedback to customize their content based on learner behavior and performance. By harnessing the power of data analytics, instructors can provide feedback to learners to elevate their learning. It can motivate learners to enhance their efforts and aim for higher learning goals.

Also Read: Gamification in Learning: 7 Powerful Strategies to Implement

Conclusion

Gamification in eLearning is a powerful means to transform learning experiences worldwide. It is changing the way learners perceive educational content. At the same time, it provides a lot of scope for instructors and teachers to engage and motivate learners.

The emerging global trends in gamification are broadening its horizons in the world of education. Now is the right time to adapt gamification to your eLearning and training solutions.

If you are looking for a reliable and comprehensive eLearning solution, you can check out Hurix Digital. For more information on K-12 education, contact us here.