Gamification - When Addiction Is The Answer

The power of gamification lies in harnessing its addictive qualities to fuel a drive for learning and development.

By Grishma Jashapara, Managing Partner at Fusion Associates.

Recently, I inadvertently made my 10 year old niece cry, and I found myself beaming with pride! Let me explain, I'm not Cruella de Vil. I tutor my niece every Saturday morning and the reason for her tears was that we had to cancel a lesson. Surely the ultimate validation for any teacher.

My secret? Gamification.

I’ve always believed that the job of a teacher is to inspire the child to want to learn. Gamification has been an incredible tool in making the learning process not only engaging but, dare I say, addictive for my niece.

🌍 Sporcle’s brilliant interactive maps mean she now knows every country in every continent, as well as all the US and Indian states, and the UK by region and counties.

🧪 A three minute catchy periodic table song has enabled her to learn all 118 elements.

⌨ Interactive touch typing with its levels and game elements is making learning this difficult skill a fun challenge.

🤖 Introducing her regularly to various new generative AI platforms keeps her fascinated, curious, and opens her mind to the endless possibilities of technology and innovation.

I’m currently trying to figure out how to gamify history, which my niece has declared she hates. However, she said the same about geography, and now she can't get enough of it, so I remain hopeful. Any ideas, let me know!

Now imagine if gamification was applied to Learning and Development.

The concept of gamification leverages the inherent desire for play, challenge, and reward to motivate and engage individuals in various contexts, including learning and development. The essence of its power lies in the human brain's response to game-like situations, which are often structured to be fun, immersive, and highly interactive. This teaching method, when thoughtfully implemented, can transform the learning experience, making it more engaging and, most importantly, more effective.

The Psychological Basis of Gamification

The first step in understanding the value of gamification in learning and development is to explore its psychological basis. Theories of motivation, such as the Self-Determination Theory, suggest that human beings have an inherent need to grow and achieve mastery. Gamification, with its core elements of points, badges, leaderboards, and challenges, taps into these needs by providing a visual and experiential form of progress and accomplishment. This, in turn, can make the learning experience intrinsically rewarding.

The Addictive Qualities of Gamification

Central to the subject is the addictive quality of games, which, when applied to learning, can be a double-edged sword. The 'addictive' part of gamification is not about the development of a harmful habit but about the high level of user engagement and time individuals are willing to invest in game-like experiences. This is because games are good at creating a 'flow' state, where individuals lose track of time and are fully immersed in the task at hand. When this quality is harnessed for learning, it can lead to a more in-depth and long-term form of learning and development.

The Role of Gamification in Development

Gamification's most significant opportunity lies in its role in the process of learning and development. It offers a unique way to address the need for continuous learning and the upskilling of employees in the workplace. For example, the eLearning industry has seen a substantial shift towards the use of mobile devices and smartphones, enabling the use of gamification to provide more engaging and practical learning experiences. This is especially relevant in the context of the 21st-century workplace, where the need for digital literacy and other soft skills is on the rise.

The Impact of Gamification

Research and various implementations of gamification in the educational and organisational settings have shown a range of positive outcomes. These include increased motivation, better learning outcomes, and the creation of a positive and engaging learning culture. The structure of game-like experiences, with specific challenges and the ability to achieve different levels of mastery, caters to the need for personal achievement and the development of a sense of agency among learners.

The Bigger Picture

However, the use of gamification in learning and development is not a one-size-fits-all solution. It requires a well-thought-out approach that considers the content, context, and the individual learner. The game design elements need to be aligned with the learning objectives to ensure that the 'addictive' qualities of the game are used to facilitate real, meaningful learning and not just to make the content more engaging.

In Summary

The real power of gamification in learning and development lies in its potential to harness the natural, addictive qualities of game-like activities to foster a more in-depth and self-determined form of learning. When designed and implemented thoughtfully, gamification can be a powerful strategy to engage learners, motivate them to participate actively in their learning, and, ultimately, to achieve the desired learning and development outcomes. The value of this method is that it can be adapted to a wide range of learning contexts, from the upskilling of employees in the corporate world to the classroom, making it a versatile modern-day teaching strategy. The real opportunity, therefore, is to explore and exploit the full range of possibilities that gamification offers to the world of learning and development.

---

About Fusion Associates

Since 1998, Fusion Associates has been placing experienced professionals across the globe within consumer markets including consumer goods, fashion, sporting goods, healthy living and luxury.

Environmental, humanitarian, social and political concerns are close to the Partners both in and out of the business. We pride ourselves in partnering with industry leaders who wish to contribute to a better, more sustainable future. Working with global companies that are at the forefront of innovating and integrating sustainability into the heart of their business, we have helped build purpose-led teams from leadership to subject experts in biodiversity and animal welfare.