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Imagine starting a new job and facing the onboarding process. This typically means absorbing a vast amount of information and processing numerous materials. The mere thought of documents leading to more documents might make you want to shut down your computer. You know how it goes: reading the same paragraph for the fiftieth time and struggling to maintain focus.
Now, envision a different form of onboarding: interactive and infused with game elements. You get to know the company through a cohesive, engaging narrative. Perhaps you’re even guided by the company’s mascot.
Information is presented not as a wall of text but through engaging presentations and animations. The stages of acquiring knowledge are interspersed with quizzes and other interactive methods to reinforce learning. You’re aware of your current stage in the onboarding process and how much remains.
Sounds appealing? You’re not alone in thinking so. According to a 2019 survey by TalentLMS, 89% of employees believe they would be more productive at work if it were more game-like.
In today’s article, we will explore the potential of gamification in learning management systems and education in general. Discover the gamification methods and platforms that put them into practice.
Introduction to LMS gamification
Gamification is gaining momentum in education, extending its reach from schools to enterprises. The global lockdown has accelerated this trend, prompting educators to seek methods that enhance engagement in online environments. Companies transitioning to online and hybrid cultures have also recognized the potential of gamification, embracing educational software that incorporates it.
The evidence supports this shift. For instance, an experiment published in the Journal of Educational Psychology demonstrated that students using board games during math lessons achieved test higher test scores than those of the control group.
Why does this occur? Our brains assimilate information more effectively when it’s presented in a gamified format. Neuroscientific research attributes this to a combination of cognitive mechanisms: activation of reward pathways, enhanced emotional processing, and promotion of neuroplasticity.
These mechanisms can have a significant impact on the efficiency of knowledge retention and impact enterprise processes positively. According to the 2019 Gamification at Work Survey, 89% of employees claim that gamified work experiences would increase their productivity.
No wonder that an increasing amount of learning management systems are transitioning towards gamified experiences. Gamification elements have become a foundation and a distinctive feature of many LMS products on the market, allowing its users to streamline and improve educative processes.
Key elements of gamification in LMS
Gamification elements can adopt different forms, with a majority of them involving interactive challenges. From role-playing games to quizes, gamified learning management system usually incorporates various features with the purpose of:
- motivating learners
- sparking curiosity and increasing engagement
- including healthy competition
- improving knowledge retention and memorization
- breaking down complex topics and concepts
- providing learners with a sense of control and agency over their own education path.
Although probabilistic rewards are also proven to enhance engagement, companies are moving towards methods that give users more agency. Market leaders like Uber or United Airlines have tried out lotteries as a form of engaging employees, but the reception of these initiatives proved that gamified experiences should not (only) be based on luck.
Let’s take a look at some most common gamification elements popular learning management systems contain.
Points and badges
Although not interactive per se, points and badges are a foundation of the majority of games, regardless of type and genre. Their purpose? Above all, activating the reward system, which is one of the strongest drivers behind self-development and progress.
Aside from stimulating motivation, points and badges reflect the educational path of the user in a clear, illustrative way. They are a clear representation of their progress, validating their effort and making it easy to share it with others. In some cases, they only fulfill a purely representative purpose; in others, they may be exchanged for rewards or unlock access to certain privileges.
The use of badges is common across social media, communication platforms, and learning management systems have been reflecting this trend for years. Being the most common gamification element employees encounter (71% of respondents), they are also one of the easiest to implement.
Leaderboards
Many modern companies, including such market giants like Google, emphasize collaboration and horizontality over competition and hierarchy. Such approach is indeed proven to make employees grow if implemented thoughtfully.
However, gamification can sneak the healthy competition in a fun way, fostering motivation and productivity. One of the ways to do that is through leaderboards. Integrated with points and badges, they show user progress on learning management platforms in perspective. Such a subtle form of competition can be an impulse for self-development…and a great conversation starter!
Levels and progression
Levels and progression systems are integral to gamified experiences, providing learners with a structured pathway that mirrors their advancement. By segmenting content into distinct levels, learners can tackle challenges incrementally, fostering a sense of accomplishment with each milestone achieved. This approach not only enhances motivation but also allows for the gradual building of competencies.
Implementing a level-based system can be straightforward. For instance, an organization might design a training program where employees begin at a ‘Novice’ level, progressing through ‘Intermediate’ to ‘Expert’ as they complete various modules.
Each level could unlock new content, tools, or responsibilities, providing tangible rewards for advancement. This method has been effectively utilized in corporate settings to delineate career progression and skill development.
You can also build level-based systems with a more playful approach, whether it means references to pop culture or even a company culture in a distorting mirror. You play, you choose!
Storytelling and narratives
A good story can do wonders when it comes to memory. Think about it: many of us could recite the fairytales they heard as children even when woken up abruptly in the middle of the night. These stories, whether books, cautionary tales, urban legends, stay because they spark emotions and, this way, create stronger associations in your brain.
A compelling narrative captivates learners, providing context and emotional engagement that enhances comprehension and recall. By embedding educational content within a story, learners are more likely to connect with the material on a personal level, making the learning experience both enjoyable and effective.
Learning management systems and their enterprise users may approach this aspect differently. One way is to implement elements of storytelling and micro narratives into their courses and tools. Another – creating a full blown story that maintains coherency through time.
Duolingo is a perfect example of how to use memorable characters to guide the user through the story and maintain its continuity. Its owl has been helping users of this pioneering language learning app to navigate their progress, often with a grain of salt (take the famous expressive mobile widget). The owl is familiar, has bold personality and brings the narratives in the gamified elements and marketing strategy forward.
Benefits of gamifying your LMS
Incorporating gamification into your Learning Management System (LMS) offers undeniable advantages, whether you’re educating employees or product users. Gamified learning platforms have seen a surge in corporate adoption due to their effectiveness in enhancing engagement and learning outcomes. By integrating game-like elements, organizations can create a dynamic learning environment that motivates and inspires.
Enhanced learner engagement
Engaged learners are more likely to absorb and retain information, leading to smoother onboarding processes and a reduction in potential errors. Gamification introduces elements such as points, badges, and leaderboards, transforming mundane training sessions into interactive experiences. This approach not only captures learners’ attention but also fosters a sense of competition and achievement, driving continuous participation.
Improved knowledge retention
Investing in training is futile if the knowledge doesn’t stick. Gamified learning management systems enhance retention by reinforcing information through interactive challenges and real-time feedback. This means less need for repetitive courses, leading to cost savings and a more confident, competent workforce. Employees feel their time is valued, boosting morale and fostering a culture of continuous learning.
Increased motivation and productivity
Traditional training methods can often feel like a drain on time and resources. Gamified courses, however, are designed to be engaging and efficient, allowing employees to complete training more quickly and effectively. This efficiency translates to increased productivity, as employees spend less time in training and more time applying their new skills to their roles. The motivational aspects of gamification, such as earning rewards and recognition, further drive employees to excel in their learning and development.
Real-time feedback and assessment
Passive learning through traditional methods often leaves gaps in understanding, as misconceptions may go unaddressed. Gamification offers immediate feedback, allowing learners to identify and correct mistakes in real-time. This proactive approach reduces the reliance on costly in-person trainers, as automated quizzes and assessments can pinpoint individual learning needs. By addressing issues promptly, organizations can ensure a more accurate and effective learning process, leading to better performance outcomes.
Best practices for implementing gamification
Align game mechanics with learning objectives
Gamification should never be implemented just because it’s trendy or because competitors are doing it. Employees can quickly sense when game elements feel like gimmicks rather than meaningful additions to their learning experience. If the mechanics feel forced or disconnected from the actual learning objectives, engagement will drop rather than increase.
The key is to ensure that every gamification feature serves a clear purpose within the corporate training framework. The choice of game mechanics should reflect the complexity of the topic, align with the learning objectives, and contribute to the company’s overall functioning and growth. A mismatch can lead to wasted effort and resources, offering no real value to learners.
For example, a points-based leaderboard in a gamification LMS can work well for sales training, where employees compete to close deals and track their progress. However, in soft skills training, a collaborative quest-based approach—where learners must navigate scenarios and make strategic decisions—may be far more effective in reinforcing concepts like negotiation and conflict resolution.
Balance challenge and skill levels
Gamification can be a double-edged sword. If the challenges are too difficult, even the most ambitious employees may become discouraged. On the other hand, if tasks are too easy, learners may feel no sense of achievement and disengage from the process. Striking the right balance is crucial to maintaining motivation.
To create an effective challenge-skill balance, consider mapping out a matrix of required skills and dividing them into progressive levels. This ensures that employees move through a structured learning path without experiencing steep difficulty spikes or stagnation. The goal is to prevent stratification that isolates learners while also avoiding overly broad groupings that fail to address individual capabilities.
A well-designed corporate training program using gamification LMS features, such as adaptive difficulty levels and tiered rewards, can help maintain the perfect level of challenge. For instance, online training courses can dynamically adjust based on learners’ performance—offering hints or additional resources if they struggle, while unlocking advanced modules for those who excel.
There’s a reason people gather to play board games, join online multiplayer sessions, or watch live gaming streams—games are more engaging when shared. Social learning is a natural extension of gamification, making the process more enjoyable and reinforcing knowledge retention through interaction.
That extends to work environments – 87% of employees feel more socially connected due to game elements. You can leverage this by incorporating collaborative elements into your gamified learning experience.
When employees feel that they’re contributing to a shared goal, they develop a stronger sense of purpose and engagement. Encouraging teamwork in gamified corporate training can also boost communication skills and create a supportive learning culture.
Monitor and evaluate gamification effectiveness
Monitoring progress is a strong motivator in itself—when learners can see their achievements, they are more likely to stay committed to completing courses. The brain’s reward system gets activated when progress is visible, reinforcing motivation and engagement.
However, gamification should not be implemented blindly. Just as you measure the effectiveness of other corporate training initiatives, you need to assess whether your gamification efforts are delivering tangible benefits. It’s important to ensure that the features you introduce are enhancing the learning experience rather than serving as distractions.
You can measure gamification effectiveness in different ways, from tracking course completion rates to analyzing engagement metrics like quiz participation and discussion forum activity. Another method is gathering direct feedback from learners to understand how gamification elements impact their motivation.
To make your analytics efforts reliable, integrate performance dashboards into your gamification LMS, allowing trainers and managers to adjust strategies based on real data. This way, gamification remains a tool for improvement rather than an end in itself.
Top LMS platforms with gamification features
Docebo
Trusted by major brands like TripAdvisor, AWS, and Zoom, Docebo offers an AI-powered platform that enhances corporate training. It covers everything from employee onboarding to customer education and sales enablement. Its standout features include personalized learning paths, rich social learning experiences, and deep analytics to track engagement and performance.
iSpring Learn
Used by global giants like Boeing, MIT, and IKEA, iSpring Learn provides reliable 24/7 customer support with an impressive response time. It enables businesses to build high-impact blended learning programs, proven to improve efficiency. Companies using iSpring report faster onboarding and higher training success rates, making it ideal for corporate training.
GoSkills
GoSkills is trusted by over 8,000 companies, including UPS and McDonald’s, for its expert-led training. It combines generative AI with over a decade of experience to help businesses create and deploy high-quality courses quickly. With ready-to-use templates and AI-powered content assistance, GoSkills makes online training easier and more effective.
SAP Litmos
SAP Litmos is a top choice for brands like IBM and FordDirect, offering AI-powered content authoring tools. It simplifies SCORM-based course creation with an intuitive drag-and-drop interface. With built-in content curation from platforms like YouTube and podcasts, it enhances engagement while cutting costs—proven by a $1.8M savings case study.
Paradiso LMS
Paradiso LMS stands out for its extensive customization options, supporting enterprise and customer training. With gamification, 50+ language options, and a multitenant setup, it serves organizations across industries, from government to retail. It delivers engaging, interactive content, making online training adaptable to diverse learning needs.
Make gamified learning a part of your company culture
Gamification LMS software allows you to bring your educational efforts to the next level, whether it is for internal or external purposes. As a company with experience in building educational platforms, we can help you find gamification strategy that benefits your company and improves knowledge retention long term.
You can manage online training through existing platforms, but developing your own gamified LMS could boost knowledge adoption and retention rate even more. If you have ideas for gamified learning experiences or are looking for a way to increase training productivity, reach out to us!
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