21st Century Learning and Teaching

Gamification vs Game-Based eLearning: How To Integrate Them Into Your eLearning Course Design

Both gamification and game-based eLearning can offer your eLearning course a variety of benefits. However, it’s important to know the distinction between gamification vs game-based eLearning, so that you can choose the approach that better serves your eLearning objectives and goals, but also meets the needs of your learners. Let’s take a closer look at the basics of both gamification and game-based eLearning, in order to determine which methodology is more appropriate for your next eLearning course.

By definition, gamification involves the use of game design elements and mechanics in activities that are not inherently game-based. This is done to motivate and engage the learners, so that they can become active participants in their own learning process.  In essence, the eLearning experience itself, is transformed into an educational game by using achievement badges, leaderboards, point systems, level progressions, and quests. These game elements are all integrated to help the learner achieve their learning goals and objectives.

On the other hand, while gamification utilizes game mechanics to transform the eLearning experience into a game, game-based eLearning integrates online games into the learning process to teach a specific skill or achieve a learning objective. Games are essentially used as eLearning activities to give learners the opportunity to acquire new knowledge or skills sets in a fun and engaging way. All eLearning games typically have rules and specific objectives and learners run the risk of “losing” when they participate. Another important distinction between gamification and game-based eLearning is that in a game-based eLearning strategy the content is designed to fit into the confines of the game.

Learn more:

- http://www.scoop.it/t/21st-century-learning-and-teaching/?tag=Gamification