What is Gamification? A Few Ideas. (SEE UPDATED VERSION, LINK IN DESCRIPTION)

Karl Kapp6 minutes read

Gamification uses game elements to engage learners and was coined by Nick Palin in 2002, growing into a multi-billion dollar industry by 2018. It is distinct from learning games and simulations, focusing on applying game elements to educational content without changing the content itself, making learning more engaging and immersive.

Insights

  • **Gamification Elements:** Gamification utilizes game components like game space, cards, chance elements, player pieces, and reward spaces to engage learners effectively.
  • **Growth and Distinction:** Coined by Nick Palin in 2002, gamification gained popularity in 2010, becoming a $421 million industry in 2013, distinct from learning games and simulations, with structural and content gamification offering unique approaches to integrating game elements into educational content.

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Recent questions

  • What is gamification?

    The term "gamification" refers to using game elements to engage learners, breaking down games into fundamental components like the game space, cards, chance elements, player pieces, and reward spaces. It is a strategy that applies game design techniques to non-game contexts to motivate participation, enhance learning, and solve problems.

  • Who coined the term "gamification"?

    The term "gamification" was coined by Nick Palin in 2002. It gained recognition around 2010 and has since grown into a $421 million industry in 2013, projected to reach $5.5 billion by 2018. Nick Palin's contribution to the field has been significant in popularizing the concept of using game elements in non-game contexts.

  • How is gamification different from learning games?

    Gamification is distinct from learning games in that learning games have a clear structure for play, while gamification involves applying game elements to educational content without altering the content itself. Learning games are designed specifically for learning purposes, while gamification enhances existing content by incorporating game-like elements to engage learners.

  • What are the two types of gamification?

    There are two types of gamification: structural gamification and content gamification. Structural gamification involves applying game elements to educational content without altering the content itself, often seen in scoring elements like points, levels, badges, and leaderboards. Content gamification, on the other hand, alters content by adding game-like elements such as story, challenge, curiosity, and characters to engage learners and make the content more immersive.

  • How has the gamification industry evolved over time?

    The gamification industry has experienced significant growth since the term was coined in 2002. It gained recognition around 2010 and grew into a $421 million industry in 2013, with projections to reach $5.5 billion by 2018. This growth highlights the increasing importance of gamification in various fields, including education, marketing, and employee training.

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Summary

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"Gamification: Engaging Learners with Game Elements"

  • Gamification uses game elements to engage learners, breaking down games into fundamental components like the game space, cards, chance elements, player pieces, and reward spaces.
  • The term "gamification" was coined in 2002 by Nick Palin, gaining recognition around 2010 and growing into a $421 million industry in 2013, projected to reach $5.5 billion by 2018.
  • Gamification is distinct from learning games and simulations, with learning games having a clear structure for play and simulations focusing on realistic risk environments for learners.
  • Structural gamification involves applying game elements to educational content without altering the content itself, often seen in scoring elements like points, levels, badges, and leaderboards.
  • Content gamification alters content by adding game-like elements such as story, challenge, curiosity, and characters to engage learners, making the content more game-like and immersive.
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