The Surprising Benefits of Gamification in eLearning

Games have long held a position of power in the world of online content. Even before mobile devices became a popular form of game consumption, computer games were an excellent way for a user to interact with the online world. Gamification is so powerful because it is fun and addictive. People want to keep playing, they want to compete, they want to win prizes, and are happy to learn some important lessons along the way. So, if you are at all interested in exploring how gamification can play into your eLearning strategy, read on for 5 surprising benefits of this learning strategy.

1. Increased Learner Engagement

Games are fun to make and fun to play, so they are an obvious choice for eLearning scenarios. Games hold students’ attention and motivate them to achieve a certain goal. When learners feel positive about their learning process and know they will be rewarded in their efforts, they’ll keep playing and keep learning for much longer than they would otherwise stay engaged. Games turn trainees from passive observers into active participants, increasing absorption rates and retention as well.

2. Making Learning Fun 

Games are naturally fun. They are interactive and exciting because people love to win. Gamification in eLearning makes what can otherwise be a potentially dry or uninteresting topic that much more interesting and immersive.

3. Improves Knowledge Absorption and Retention

Gamification does an impressive job of boosting knowledge retention by blending endorphins and awareness of larger themes and lessons. Learners are then able to more quickly access the knowledge they earn when they need it in the real world. The experience is more memorable so they absorb and recall the information more easily.

4. Gives Learners the Opportunity to See Real World Applications

Games very naturally put lessons into situations where learners can better understand concepts. They rely on examples, scenarios, and real-world applications to bring the subject matter to life. They are a first-hand look at how a student’s choices within a game can result in consequences or rewards, which then translate very quickly into on the job experiences outside of the virtual classroom. The fun and risk-free environment provided by an eLearning game allows players to explore a topic at length and then progress to the next level once they have mastered a skill or subject.

5. Enhances the Overall Learning Experience for All Age Groups

While you might think that games are popular with younger generations, research has shown that eLearning games are equally effective among adult learners as K-12 students. That’s because the overall experience is enhanced by gamification to make the subject matter fun, more compelling, and even easier to absorb. In fact, you can even integrate gamification into your eLearning courses in such a way that learners won’t even know they’re acquiring new information, it’s that subtle. Games help remove stress barriers that can be associated with learning, making the overall experience that much more fun and enjoyable.

Are you looking to modernize and improve your L&D curriculum?

Developing a learning organization – one in which knowledge is at the center of the mission – is now understood to be the most urgent task for today’s business. For more advice on how to improve your eLearning programs with gamification, contact the L&D experts at Clarity Consultants today.