Games & elearning

The typical mindset about using design game elements in elearning is “We don’t have that kind of budget!” But really, are we trying to design a Grand Theft Auto or Need for Speed? You can design game elements in a modest budget. How you ask? Focus on the game elements that you can use in your elearning application. Simplify these elements to ensure that they fit your budget.

Which game elements can you use in your elearning application?

• Rewards and punishments
  
• Sub goals to attain the main goal
  
• Learner control
• Decision making
• Experiential learning
• Feel good factors (motivation and encouragement)
  
• Challenges
• Storyline or theme
• Interesting environment
• Highly visual impact
• Decision trees or branching stories
• Innovative navigation
• Thrill and adrenaline surge
  

There are certain game elements that hinder learning. Beware of these:

• Time based challenges
• Exploratory approach
  
• Abrupt end to the game if challenge is not achieved
  
• Feedback has to be construed by the player
  
• Complicated interface or rules that need to be learned first
• Challenging tasks that you take days to get past

Several research indicate that today most learners are vivid gamers. We as learning professional can use this to our advantage. Remember though that game-based approach is only another approach and not necessarily the only approach. This approach should be used depending on the learner's profile and the bloom's levels.