Gamification & Analytics – What’s Possible?

As gamification becomes more pervasive in learning programs across the globe, training professionals have an unique opportunity to generate powerful analytics that can shape future learning experiences.

Traditionally learners and their managers have focused on capturing who took the test, when they took it, and what the final score was on the program. While that is important, they are missing out on other important data that when used effectively encourages autonomy and mastery.

Throughout this interview listeners will be able to better understand how to set-up their training programs to enable them to measure “real” results and what tools & platforms are best to leverage in order to make them a success. In addition we will address Tin Can/X-API and how standards such as these can create personal learning experiences.

Game Thinking and the MVP of Instructional Design

On this episode of Gamification Talk Radio, I interviewed special guest Zsolt Olah and our topic of discussion was: Game Thinking and the MVP of Instructional Design.

Zsolt participated in Kevin Werbach's G.A.M.E. (Gameful Approaches of Motivation and Engagement) along with researchers and practitioners of game design and gamification such as Karl Kapp, Amy Jo Kim, and Sebastian Deterding.

While researchers and practitioners might have disagreed on many levels about gamification, there was one big take away for L&D we all agreed on.

The Gamification of Higher Education

On this week's Gamification Talk Radio program my guest is Dr. David Chandross and our topic is:  The Gamification of Higher Education.

David has been involved in fascinating research on gamification for health professions and other big projects such as: the training of health care professionals in geriatric care; the conversion of undergraduate degree courses into gamified systems; and the gamification of drug addiction management.

The Gamification of Learning Part 3: Rules, Rewards, and Results

This week on Gamification Talk Radio, we finish exploring the seven continents on our journey, and review Rules, Rewards, and Results.

Level 5:  Siberian Express – Why would they want to play?

As you create your gamification experience, think of creative features that will appeal to a variety of intrinsic and/or extrinsic motivators of your players. Define what core drivers of motivation will be most dominant in each phase of the experience. For example, in your onboarding phase you can get your players in quickly with some simple extrinsic motivators. The longer your players are in your game, you’ll want to design for different motivators such as: 

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.