Much discussed and mainly addressed in the business world, Gamification has become an increasingly used learning and training tool, but do you really know what gamification and game-based learning are? In this series of posts, we will better understand the use of these two concepts at the corporate level.
Gamification and Game-Based Learning
There is still a lot of confusion when we talk about Gamification, often confused with Game-Based Learning. The terms, although similar, are two different approaches that transform everyday and social situations through game features and characteristics.
Conceptualizing the approaches
The concept most used by authors on the topic to define gamification describes the approach as “the use of game elements, techniques and design in non-game contexts”, that is, game components are used (such as promoting disputes with points, rankings , prizes and any element of game mechanics) for different activities, making them more fun and promoting engagement. Furthermore, it encourages other attributes that are considered important within the corporate world such as competitiveness, collaboration, learning from your choices, among others.
Practical examples
One of the many examples of successful cases using gamification is on the language teaching website Duolingo , which uses a format where users are tested in the chosen language and accumulate points on the platform, thus working on the main concepts of the games, such as rewards and development.
Main area of the platform where the student views the lessons and their progress during learning
Student progress can be seen by development bars
Another classic example that was successful was Kevin Richardson's campaign to encourage drivers to respect speed limits, implemented by Volkswagen in an experiment on an avenue in Stockholm, Sweden. Through the gamification of an everyday situation, the action promoted motivation and changed drivers' behavior, consequently reducing the average speed on the road by 22%, which was the main objective of the action. Find out below (in English):
But what about Game-Based Learning?
Game-based learning, or game-based learning, in Portuguese, is an approach that uses games, analog or digital, with the aim of optimizing the learning experience. In this case, the game allows the understanding of specific issues through simulations, trial and error and problem solving.
Examples of Game-based learning
Examples of the use of games in school learning are more common than in the corporate world, as they support learning, helping to better assess students and identifying important points in optimizing teaching.
O Minecraft Education Edition is a great example of games that have adapted to game-based learning, using an existing game structure to aid learning and education.
Now that we know the difference between gamification and game-based learning, it's easier to know which one fits your training purpose. Stay tuned for our next posts to learn more about gamification and how this approach can help your company.
Sources: HAYES, Paul. The global leadership of virtual teams in avatarbased virtual environments. 1st International Conference On Hci In Business, Hcib. Greece, p. 390-400. Jun. 2014.
