To dive further into this topic, share its benefits and learn more about gamification, we are honored to bring an exclusive interview (in three segments) with eminent thought-leader and advocate of gamification, Prof. Karl M. Kapp. Karl is a scholar, writer and expert on the convergence of games, learning and technology.

Gamification is the use of game elements in non-game situations. Given that definition, most people think about the addition of points, badges and leaderboards to instruction, or other activities. And, while points, badges and leaderboards are parts of games, to me, the more interesting elements of games are feedback loops, freedom to fail, compelling narrative and overcoming challenges. Those elements should be focused on when gamification is considered.  I call that deep gamification.  It’s the concept of moving past points, badges and leaderboards into story, characters and things like mastery. Moving into why people really engage in games and then leverage those elements to create meaningful instruction. 

To me, gamification should be treated as just another tool for creating instruction. It should be considered as a method of engaging learners. Now, there are many ways to engage learners. So, gamification isn’t the only tool that contributes to engaged learners, but it can be a big help in terms of creating engagement. People are continually bombarded with messages on a daily basis, many things are competing for their time and attention, employing game elements like feedback loops, compelling narrative and challenges can hold their attention and help them more effectively engage in the learning process. 

3.    What makes gamification so effective?

Gamification is effective because it requires activity, thinking and decision making by the learner. When designed properly, elements of games encourage the learners to engage with the content and behaviors that are desired by the organization. The purpose of learning and development in any organization is to shape behavior, so it conforms to what the organization believes is the best approach for things like sales, compliance and following a company’s approach to work. Gamification can shape behavior by rewarding what the organization feels is good behavior, motivating employees to engage in the proper behavior and making the instruction around the desired behaviors interactive and engaging. We know from the research that the more engaging instruction is for the learner, the more likely they are to recall the instruction and follow the desired behaviors. So, with gamification done right, it contributes to employees learning and, ultimately, improve their job performance because it is interactive and, in many cases, memorable and motivational, as well. 

Karl M. Kapp, Ed.D is an award-winning professor of instructional technology at Bloomsburg University, as well as a regular consultant for Fortune 500 companies on the use of gamification and game-based strategies for transferring knowledge to employees.  He has authored six books, including the best-selling learning book, The Gamification of Learning and Instruction, and its accompanying how-to book, The Gamification of Learning and Instruction Fieldbook: Theory into Practice. Karl has been interviewed for, and published articles in Training Magazine, ATD's T&D, Knowledge Management, Distance Learning, PharmaVOICE, Forbes Online, Mashable, Huffington Post and many more, as well as appeared on numerous television and radio programs reviewing his work with learning, technology and game-based design.  To Learn More, please visit Karl’s website. 

This Award notes a gamut of our technologies that support learner performance, including our LMS Integration capabilities, our Social platform, our various Mobile Platform features that drive learner engagement, as well as our deep dive of Reporting and Analytics.

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SCRIMMAGE is a modern technology firm featuring the latest mobile learning, engagement and collaboration tools serving global businesses from Fortune 100 companies to SMBs. The company works closely with its clients to build a customized, scalable and secure platform for all static and dynamic content, along with a full suite of award-winning learning solutions, including gamification, social collaboration and robust data reporting. Founded in 2010, Scrimmage has enjoyed over 525M platform interactions on a worldwide basis to more than 50 enterprise clients across a spectrum of industries.  To Demo the mobile platform, please click here.