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Game-Based Learning

Game-based learning is the application of game-thinking and game mechanics to non-gaming environments. Read to learn more.

Game-based learning is a hot topic. It's the application of game elements in non-game contexts, intending to make engagement more effective and engaging.

Organizations looking to increase employee engagement and user engagement embrace gamification. We use it in educational settings as well as training environments.

It's not just about adding points or badges, though. It combines these elements to create a compelling experience that encourages meaningful behavior change.

What is game-based learning?

Game-based learning is a form of experiential learning that uses the principles and techniques of game design to help people learn better. It's a process in which you apply the rules and regulations of game design to education and training.

Then, you can use it to create learning experiences for yourself or others.

Game-based learning helps with motivation by encouraging learners to discover their interests through exploration, collaboration, problem-solving, and feedback from others.

Why use game-based learning?

Game-based learning is a method in which you learn by playing games. The games can be educational or fun, but they will help you learn new skills and information.

The main advantages of game-based learning are that it's fun and engaging. People enjoy playing games, and the best ones are often highly addictive!

Once you start playing, you'll keep returning for more—which means more practice with the subject matter taught in the game.

Game-based learning also helps students develop their problem-solving skills because most games require players to solve challenging problems to progress through the game world. For young learners eager to have fun while learning math, game-based platforms offer a variety of challenges that blend play with educational outcomes.

For example, if there's an obstacle blocking your path on-screen (like a locked door), you need to figure out how to get around it before moving on further into the game world (like opening up other sections of town).

Why use game-based learning?

Game-based learning is a method in which you learn by playing games. The games can be educational or just for fun, but they will help you learn new skills and information.

The main advantages of game-based learning are that it's fun and engaging. People enjoy playing games, and the best ones are often highly addictive!

This means that once you start playing, you'll keep coming back for more—which means more practice with the subject matter taught in the game.

Game-based learning also helps students develop their problem-solving skills because most games require players to solve challenging problems to progress through the game world.

For example, if there's an obstacle blocking your path on-screen (like a locked door), you need to figure out how to get around it before moving on further into the game world (like opening up other sections of town).

Advantages of GBL

Game-based learning has the potential to deliver a highly engaging and motivating learning experience.

Engagement is a critical component of learning. When learners complete the task that motivates them, and they're captivated by their experience, they're much more likely to retain information.

Motivation also plays an important role in GBL: it drives people to take action—or not! If a game doesn't excite or appeal to players, it won't be very motivating for them either.

The key to designing a game-based learning experience is to ensure that it's engaging and motivating for the players.

We can achieve this by leveraging various elements, including:

- The game's design and mechanics

- The story or narrative thread running through the experience.

- The user experience - The game's aesthetics, including how it looks and feels

Disadvantages of GBL

There are some disadvantages to GBL, however.

First, it can be expensive to develop and maintain gamification initiatives. Because creating a good game requires a lot of work, it's not always feasible for organizations and schools to utilize this strategy. For some reason, gamification is hard to scale across large numbers of learners and teachers. one is that individualized feedback is required for each learner.

The second reason is that there's only so much learning that can be done in a game environment (i.e., games don't offer as much real-world or practical experience as other types of e-learning). Finally, some learners may prefer non-gamified instruction because they don't enjoy playing games or find them distracting—and some teachers may feel the same way!

Gamification in the workplace

When we talk about gamification in the workplace, we refer to gaming elements (such as points, achievements and rewards) as motivation to achieve specific goals. For example:

  • You want employees to reach specific goals by a certain date. Using gamification techniques like point-based systems, leaderboards or badges can help motivate employees and encourage them to learn new skills or training modules to help them reach their goals.
  • You have many employees working on one project who must work together to complete things on time. By using competition tools such as leaderboards and challenges between teams or individuals within your organization, you can increase productivity among staff members who may not usually be motivated by recognition alone.

Gamification in corporate training

Gamification in corporate training is a great way to engage employees and help with employee retention. A successful gamification program will increase employee engagement and provide an effective learning environment. When you create a game-based learning experience, it helps train people more engagingly.

Gamification is a powerful tool for corporate training. It can help improve employee engagement and make corporate training more fun and engaging.

Virtual Reality (VR) training gamification

VR training gamification is a game-based learning technique that uses VR technology to create an immersive, interactive experience. We can use it in three ways:

  • In a virtual environment, employees are trained to use a new piece of equipment or software by interacting with it in an environment that looks and feels real but is not dangerous or expensive for the company to maintain. For example, if you're training people to drive a forklift in your warehouse, you could create a virtual forklift simulator where they can practice driving the machine without leaving their desks.
  • In natural environments like factories, warehouses, or manufacturing plants (as opposed to simulations).
  • Simulated environments such as flight and driving simulators (as opposed to virtual realities).

How to implement gamification in your organization

Here are some steps to start:

  • Create a game. You can do this through various platforms and tools, including Gamestar Mechanic, Scirra's Construct 2 or Unity 3D. Or use one of many existing game templates online, such as those created by Kenzan Media or Gameloft. Remember that not all games have to be complex; sometimes, simple games work best to get across an idea or teach new skills quickly.
  • Test your game with real people—not just colleagues you know will like it because they love everything you do!
  • Get feedback from actual users before showing anyone inside your company so that when they're asked what they think about it later on down the road. They'll be more likely to say positive things rather than be honest but negative.
  • Don't just show your game to a bunch of people and ask them what they think about it. Ask them why. If someone says something negative about your game, don't take it personally—it's not about you. It's about the user experience. See if there are ways to improve those areas they didn't like so much!

An overview of the research around gamification.

Gamification aims to solve problems that aren't inherently fun by using game design techniques to make them so. This can include making mundane tasks like filing tax returns more exciting or turning tedious tasks into an adventure with levels or badges.

It can also encourage employees to take more responsibility for their development by introducing leaderboards where you compete with your colleagues on who has earned the most points during an academic year. This is a good way of encouraging struggling students because they know their peers will work alongside them rather than leave them behind as they struggle alone.

We use game-based learning in the workplace to motivate employees, improve performance and increase productivity. 

Conclusion

We hope this article has helped you understand how gamification works and its benefits for students.