Rethinking Gamification: How Demonstrating Personal Impact Can Enhance Adult Learning and Training Outcomes

Highlights:

• Limitations of Gamification: Gamification often results in an initial bump in engagement due to its novelty and the psychological impact of rewards and competition. Several recent studies highlight the temporary nature of gamification’s effectiveness, and physiological reasons for decline.
• The Case for Demonstrating Personal Impact: Tools that demonstrate personal impact leverage intrinsic motivators by making learning personally relevant and meaningful. Research indicates that learning tools emphasizing personal relevance and impact can significantly improve engagement and efficacy.
• Developing Engaging Tools: Several organizations have successfully implemented tools that emphasize personal impact over gamification. Tools that demonstrate personal impact should include customization, relevance, and actionable feedback.