The Gamification of Learning Part 2: Measurement and Behaviors

This week on Gamification Talk Radio, we continue by exploring two more of the seven continents on our journey, and about keeping score and how the game is played.

Level 3:  Jungle Standoff – How are you keeping score?
How will you know the gamification program you put in place is driving the behaviors you need in order to meet your business objectives? What are the KPIs or benchmarks you will use to measure progress? Define the business metrics or quantifiable output indicators on the basis of achieving your business objective. Decide what numbers you must hit in order for your gamification program to be deemed successful.

The Gamification of Learning Part 1: Objectives and Players

Using the metaphor of a World Explorer, Monica takes you inside her hands-on, gamified playshop to explore the beauty, awe, marvels, and dangers of the seven levels of successful gamification. You'll learn how to plan for your journey and pack wisely to make every item count.

This week to get started we explore two of the seven continents on our journey, and begin with business objectives and who is playing our game (our learners).

Gamification Design: We All Play Games

The reality is… you enjoy playing games. We’ve been playing games since the days of cavemen, and it is your nature to compare yourself to see how you measure up to others.

Games drive emotions, build loyalty, and create character.
What if you could take game mechanics like competition, collaboration, and chance -- and apply them to your organization to teach, persuade, and motivate people?

Is it possible to make dull training; or difficult, tedious, or challenging tasks just a little more fun?

The answer is YES!

Forward thinking organizations understand the power of Gamification to increase engagement, and are quickly learning how to leverage its power.

Gamification does NOT equal technology or playing video games. It is an important and powerful strategy for influencing and motivating people. Simply defined, Gamification uses game mechanics and rewards for non-game applications in order to solve a wide range of business problems.

An excerpt from an Introduction to Gamification class with facilitator Monica Cornetti, Sententia Founder and CEO.

Here are three factors to consider as YOU explore how Gamification can help you and your organization.

• Clearly Identify the Business Objectives – Instead of asking, “How can we leverage Gamification in our organization?” begin with clearly defined business objectives and an analysis of the suitability of Gamification to achieve those business objectives.
• Think of the Audience as Players not Puppets – Slapping some meaningless points, badges, and leaderboards into your event or marketing strategy does not mean that you’ll be able to get people to do what they’ve been unwilling to do before. Engage the target audience with meaningful incentives.
• Design for Player-Centricity –The sweet spot for Gamification is where the business objectives and player objectives overlap. Gamified applications must be designed to motivate players to achieve their goals.

At its core, Gamification is about finding the fun in the things that we have to do.

Making business processes compelling by making them fun. It's about the most fascinating and coolest thing that I can think of. 

More Gamification Articles:

• The 4 Questions to Ask Before Implementing Gamification
• Gamification Simplified

For information on earning a Gamification Certification for Learning, Talent Management and Organizational Development Professionals visit www.SententiaGames.com

About the Author:  Monica Cornetti
Founder and CEO, Sententia
www.SententiaGames.com
www.monicacornetti.com

A gamification speaker and designer, Monica Cornetti is rated as a #1 Gamification Guru in the World by UK-Based Leaderboarded. She is the author of the book Totally Awesome Training Activity Guide: Put Gamification to Work for You, writes The Gamification Report blog, and hosts the weekly Gamification Talk Radio program.