Main Blog

Gamification in education: Transforming learning through play

Why do you think Duolingo has 300 million users? Could it have something to do with weekly leaderboards, leagues, and rewards? Of course! Duolingo is one of the most famous applications for gamification in education. They invite learners to check in daily and give them quests and rewards for completing them. And it works! With gamified educational experiences, student achievement rises by almost 90%.

But how does gamifying the learning experience help student engagement and achievement? And how can you implement it effectively? Join us as we dive into the gamification of education through real-world examples and science-backed results.

What is gamification in education?

The definition of gamification in education is using game elements to enrich educational activities. In other words, we're creating a gamified experience through challenges, points, badges, leaderboards, etc. A gamified environment can also include custom learning paths or learner “avatars.”

The term gamification implies that game elements are introduced to non-game contexts, which is also the most apparent difference between gamification and game-based learning.

Gamification for education means turning the learning process into a game. On the other hand, game-based learning uses games in education as part of the process. Note that these can but don’t have to be video games. On the same note, the benefits of gamification in education and learning through educational games can occur in a real-life classroom and a digital learning environment.

How is gamification used in education?

Gamifying education makes even mundane topics interesting and engaging because learning through play comes naturally. Fun and excitement bring positive effects and emotions to the learning experience, making us more likely to adopt the educational content. As an added benefit, it boosts motivation because we want to keep feeling good.

Here, we tap into internal or intrinsic motivation. We want to keep learning because we enjoy the process. Implementing gamification design, when done well, can also boost the other type of drive, external or extrinsic learner motivation. Extrinsic motivators include anything from praise and status to points, rewards, badges, or other benefits students can “unlock” while learning.

Let’s review what game elements can do within educational contexts.

Video game elements	Educational implementation/benefit
Rules	Framework for learning
Goals	Motivation boost, progress tracking
Interactions	Participation, collaboration, teamwork, communication skills
Feedback	Motivation boost from seeing progress
Problem-solving	Increased confidence and motivation
Competition	Higher extrinsic motivation, learner engagement
Story	Diversified learning, higher motivation
Fun	High intrinsic motivation, better recall

The importance of gamification in education can be summed up in one word: participation. But that one word holds all the power in the learning journey. Each of the game-like elements is designed to boost participation, which, in turn, improves learner achievement.

Key components of effective gamification in education

So, how can you implement gamification in your classroom? Here are some key components:

Use point systems and leaderboards effectively. Each student needs to be able to progress and climb up the ranks. Avoid creating unhealthy competition and stress. For example, you can have different achievement categories, set common goals, and assign points for teamwork.
Encourage mastery with badges and achievements. Your goal-setting here has to rely on learning outcomes. For example, you can reward progress towards each learning outcome with badges. Students who have a certain amount of badges will unlock an achievement. Align this “achievement” with mastering a learning outcome, and voila!
Create gamified learning experiences with narratives and storytelling. Let’s face it: your gamification strategies can’t be lazy or lame. Students will see right through that, and it can backfire. You need to captivate their attention, just like video games do. Choose a story or a character that resonates with them, and you will see positive effects.
Structure student learning activities as challenges and quests. So, you have your story, main characters, badges, and points set up. Now, tie it together and put learners on that path. Make them problem-solve to overcome challenges. Make them heroes on their learning paths.

Real-world examples of gamified education

What are the benefits of gamification in education? How do companies and educators use game principles in instructional design? Let’s dive into some real-world examples that highlight the advantages of gamification in education.

Gamified math class. A math teacher in New Jersey improved student performance by 53% by introducing elements of games. Gerilyn Williams took a step further to make math fun for her students. She says it all started with a mathopoly game she introduced to her students. Now, they are excited to learn, progress through quests (lessons), and unlock new levels (chapters).
Language learning apps. A study of Chinese university students has shown that online learning apps such as Duolingo, Memrise, and HelloTalk have a positive impact on students’ English vocabulary retention and fluency. The study followed 250 students and found that these apps improve pronunciation, fluency, and general speaking abilities. Combining the different types of educational environments helped students master different aspects of learning.
Science and STEM gamification. The International Journal of Education in Mathematics, Science, and Technology explored how gamified labs and experiments increase student motivation, problem-solving, and interest in STEM fields. Students’ intrinsic motivation increased, and they stated that gamified learning activities are enjoyable and exciting ways to learn and practice the educational content.

Boosting engagement, achievement, and motivation are just some benefits of gamification in educational environments.

LMS for streamlined onboarding

Transform onboarding with an LMS—simplify tasks, standardize training, and boost engagement for scalable success!

Measuring the impact of gamification elements in education

How do you know if gamification in education benefits your students? Through the point systems that reward progress, you’ll see where each student is individually and the entire class collectively. If you’re using a gamified platform, you’ll have insights in real time, no matter where you are.

This insight will tell you if using gamification in your classroom is effective and sustainable for the subject matter.

Some of the short-term effects you may see:

Improved motivation and eagerness to come to class.
High engagement of the majority of students.
Improved focus in class thanks to enjoyment and instant feedback.

On the other hand, long-term effects are:

Higher class attendance and satisfaction.
Higher grades, retention, and motivation to learn beyond rewards.
Fostering a growth mindset and becoming active in one’s education path.

Overcoming challenges in implementing gamification elements

Educators are constantly reviewing the gamification meaning in education to create interactive materials and make learning more enjoyable and effective. They’re also seeing some common challenges and devising solutions to:

Avoid common pitfalls. Prevent gamification from becoming a distraction or gimmick. You need to tie in gamified activities and learning objectives. Simply adding fun to it misses the mark.
Balance fun and educational value. Ensure that gamification enhances, rather than detracts from, effective learning. Fun interactive elements of gamification shouldn’t overshadow the actual learning content. Plus, your reward systems should align with curriculum-specific achievements.
Train and support teachers. Prepare educators to effectively use gamified learning environments, tools, and strategies. You can also gamify their experience so they see the educational benefits first-hand.

Are you interested in implementing gamification in your school? Then Geniusee’s education software development services might be just what you need. We have a proven track record in the industry and a team of dedicated experts awaiting your call. You can also check out our projects, such as Sciquiry, an AI-powered online learning platform. Or, see how we gamified and personalized the learning experience for thousands of medical school applicants.

Customizing gamification features for different educational levels

So, why is gamification important in education? Because it helps us change the way students learn. Game mechanics keep students engaged and improve their critical thinking and cognitive development. That’s why it’s vital to adjust the gamification strategies for different learners.

Elementary education: for younger students, you will play more to their imagination with stories, avatars, kinesthetic learning, and instant rewards.
Secondary education: for older, more autonomous learners, you will integrate more game features, such as autonomous quests, teamwork, project-based learning, and competition.
Higher education: universities are using gamification in education to enhance student engagement and retention through hybrid learning, virtual simulations, gamified digital platforms, and other campus activities.

Enhancing your educational models with gamified elements can improve in-person and online courses on all levels. You’ll just need to choose the right combination of game elements to ensure positive outcomes for your students.

Thank you for Subscription!

Unlock the potential of gamification in education

When exploring the gamification definition in education, it aims to transform traditional learning activities into dynamic, game-like experiences. To implement the concept of gamification in the classroom, teachers can borrow video game elements and introduce them into non-game settings. Learning becomes an interactive game that boosts engagement levels, active learning, and achievement.

But, incorporating gamification in education can also be challenging. Teachers need to consider educational levels and combine them with appropriate elements of games. So, finding a strategic partner to gamify your learning activities may be the right option.