When to use Gamification

When to use

GAMIFICATION

SCALABLE

FUNCTIONAL

ACCESSIBLE

REPLICABLE

UPDATEABLE

CUSTOMIZABLE

VARIES / DEPENDS

VARIES / DEPENDS

EASY

EASY

EASY

VARIES / DEPENDS

LEARNING TIME

INVOLVEMENT

PRESENCE

PREP TIME

BREADTH

DEPTH

VARIES / DEPENDS

VARIES / DEPENDS

EITHER

VARIES / DEPENDS

VARIES / DEPENDS

VARIES / DEPENDS

DEPTH VARIES

Gamified elements can be used in training that provides surface-level exposure or in-depth expertise-building.

TRAINER INVOLVEMENT VARIES

Some gamified elements may require the trainer to be more involved than others (ex: providing rewards or facilitating a competition).

BREADTH VARIES

Gamified elements can be used in training that covers a wide range of topics or one that focuses on one hyper-specific topic.

UPDATE-ABILITY DEPENDS

Some gamified elements can be easily updated to account for changes to business or training needs (ex: renaming achievement awards), while other elements may take more time to update (ex: lessons structured with levels and stories).

PREP TIME VARIES

Trainers can quickly add gamified elements to existing training materials. Prep time increases when more elements are utilized or when new training is designed to be entirely gamified.

EASY TO REPLICATE

Once a gamified element is built into the training, it can be reused for future learners. Each new learner may have a slightly different experience based on the element and how they interact with it (ex: earning different badges), but the gamified training itself will still be present from one learner to the next.

LEARNING TIME DEPENDS

Gamification is usually used in conjunction with other training approaches (ex: coursework, drills), so the time spent by a learner will vary based on the type of training they are undergoing. Gamified elements do not necessarily add to learning time.

EASY TO SCALE

Most gamified elements can accommodate multiple learners at once; some may even be best utilized with a cohort (such as competition).

CUSTOMIZATION DEPENDS

Gamified elements can be built into generic training lessons/activities to simply enhance engagement with them. Gamified elements can also be used to tailor an entire training experience to a specific learner or situation.

FUNCTIONALITY DEPENDS

Gamified elements can be worked into both concept-based training and practical, process-based training, though some elements may be more fitting for certain training topics than others.

IN PERSON OR VIRTUAL

Gamified elements can be adjusted based on virtual or in-person presence. Some tend to be more effective when they are virtual and automated (ex: sounds that indicate a correct or incorrect test response), but with some creativity they can be accomplished in person.

EASY TO ACCESS

Gamified elements are built into training (points, narrative, sensations, etc.); they do not need to be accessed separately by the learner.