Gamification vs. Game-based Training Andrew Hughes Designing Digitally, Inc.

Who am I?

Who we are Designing Digitally, Inc. has four major service departments including E-learning, Training Simulations, Serious Games, Virtual Worlds, and Web Development. Designing Digitally, Inc. was established in 2001 as an interactive media design firm Designing Digitally, Inc. went incorporated in 2006 and obtained their GSA IT Schedule 70 contract in 2007 Designing Digitally, Inc. has an A+ rating with the BBB Designing Digitally, Inc. is a 2012 Business of the Year according to the Franklin Chamber of Commerce. Designing Digitally, Inc. wins 2012 Federal Virtual Worlds Challenge 2013 Training Industry’s Top Content Companies Watch List

Partial Federal Government Clients

Partial Corporate Clients

What are Games? They give you a problem to solve – Build a City, Farm, Diner, Family, etc. They provide challenges to you – Added challenges depending upon what you’ve done They force you to learn skills to improve your abilities – Baseball player, football player, etc.

Gamification Gamification is the use of game thinking and game mechanics in a non-game context to engage users and solve problems Gamification is used in applications and processes to improve user engagement

What is NOT Gamification?

What is Gamification?

Mechanics Points Levels Progress Bars Leader Boards Badges Feedback is constant

Measurement Player Reputation Performance Completion Time Time Invested Was Content Absorbed?

Rewards Recognition Status Access Virtual Goods Performance Rewards

Behavior Game Loyalty Mastery (Novice – Expert) User Engagement

Gamification Example

Game Based Learning Is the use competitive exercises, either pitting the students against each other or getting them to challenge themselves in order to motivate them to learn better. Motivation Learn while doing Playing WITHIN a game

Game Based Learning Games often have a fantasy element that engages players in a learning activity through a storyline. The learners learn in a cognitive way. Use of Storylines Engagement User Centered Feedback Immediate Rewards

Game Based Learning

Devices Used For Game Based Learning Motion Tracking – Kinect – Leap Immersive Experiences – Oculus Rift Augmented Reality – Google Glasses

Best Practices - Gameful Design Gameful Design – The use of thinking about the user experience in the game prior to implementation or addition of game elements.

Best Practices - Gameful Design AKA Playful Design can change behaviors and expectations of users

Best Practices - Classification

Best Practices – Process? Play Games! Many genre’s and formats Learn Game Elements Think about the learning first then the game Use the Agile & ADDIE method with Gameful Design and your gaming experience Cross reference content with Game Mechanics Determine objectives and measurements Implement rewards systems focused on the learning outcomes

Best Practices – Process? Emphasize a behavior change Develop out detailed & compelling storylines Create multiple endings for outcomes Implement mechanics, rewards, measurements within the design document Develop in sprints (Agile System) Play, test, revise, play, test, revise Repeat the last step 100x

Any Questions?