There’s no doubting the impact of competition in learning, but how can you harness it and use it for good in your learning platform?
According to Gallup, 82% of employees believe that competition improves their work performance.
So, it’s clear it’s a real motivator.
And that’s not all.
Deloitte found that 72% of employees view competition as a motivating factor that encourages them to enhance their skills and knowledge.
It’s no surprise.
We already know the impact the learning can have on performance.
Related: 100+ key learning and development statistics
Keep reading to learn:
- The science of competition in learning
- Benefits of introducing competition in learning
- Examples of competition in learning
- How to add competition to your learning platform
Let’s get started.
The science of competition in learning
Contrary to the notion of cutthroat rivalry, healthy competition fosters collaboration, innovation, and continuous learning.
At the core of competition’s influence lies its ability to tap into intrinsic motivation.
Psychologically, competition triggers the release of neurotransmitters such as dopamine, known as the “feel-good” hormone, which stimulates pleasure and reward centers in the brain.
We humans love the feel-good hormone.
So, when we get a taste of it, we often come back for me.
Studies, including those by researchers at Stanford University, demonstrate that healthy competition activates neural circuits associated with motivation and goal pursuit, leading to increased focus, engagement, and persistence in learning tasks.
Research published in the Journal of Experimental Psychology reveals that individuals engaged in competitive learning contexts exhibit enhanced recall and retrieval of information compared to non-competitive settings.
This phenomenon, attributed to the brain’s adaptive response to challenges, underscores the role of competition in strengthening long-term learning outcomes.
Related: Learn the true role of gamification in learning
Benefits of introducing competition in learning
Introducing competition in learning can offer a range of benefits that contribute to enhanced engagement, motivation, skill development, and overall learning outcomes.
Here are some standout benefits:
Motivation
Competition taps into intrinsic motivation, driving learners to actively engage in tasks, set goals, and strive for improvement.
The desire to succeed and outperform peers can boost enthusiasm and commitment to learning.
Increased engagement
Competitive elements make learning more interactive and dynamic, capturing learners’ attention and encouraging active participation.
Games, challenges, and competitions create a stimulating learning environment that fosters curiosity and exploration.
Enhanced focus and attention
The competitive context promotes heightened focus and concentration as learners channel their energy towards achieving specific objectives or surpassing benchmarks.
This focused attention can lead to better retention and understanding of content.
Improved performance
Competition encourages individuals to push their limits, leading to improved performance and skill development.
The goal-oriented nature of competition motivates learners to strive for excellence and continually refine their abilities.
Skill development
Competitions provide opportunities for learners to apply and practice skills in real-world contexts.
Whether it’s problem-solving, critical thinking, teamwork, or creativity, competitions challenge individuals to develop and demonstrate their competencies.
Goal setting and achievement
Competitions often involve clear goals and milestones, allowing learners to set targets and track their progress.
Achieving success in competitive scenarios reinforces a sense of accomplishment and boosts self-confidence.
Resilience and perseverance
Facing challenges and setbacks in a competitive environment cultivates resilience and grit.
Learners learn to bounce back from failures, adapt their strategies, and persist in their efforts towards mastery.
Peer learning and collaboration
Competitions can foster peer learning and collaboration as participants share knowledge, exchange ideas, and support each other’s growth.
Collaborative competitions promote teamwork, communication skills, and a sense of camaraderie.
Innovation and creativity
The competitive spirit often sparks innovation and creativity as learners explore new approaches, think outside the box, and generate novel solutions to challenges.
Competitions inspire a culture of experimentation and continuous improvement.
Recognition and reward
Competitions offer opportunities for recognition and reward, motivating learners with incentives such as prizes, certificates, or public acknowledgment.
Celebrating achievements reinforces positive behavior and encourages ongoing participation.
Overall, introducing competition in learning can create a dynamic and engaging learning environment that stimulates motivation, fosters skill development, promotes collaboration, and cultivates a growth mindset among learners.
So how can you apply it to your learning platform?
Examples of competition in learning
Gamification isn’t something new in the L&D space, but it is picking up pace.
Here’s a few ways you can use gamification to create a competitive learning culture on your platform.
Quizzes
Engage learners in competitive quizzes to assess recall and comprehension. Whether solo or team-based, quizzes are a fun way to measure understanding.
Point-system
Assign points to courses or actions in your learning platform to allow learners to collect points and rise up through the rankings.
Games
Craft learning games that drive positive outcomes. Add a ‘high score’ feature for a competitive edge, motivating learners to strive for continual improvement.
Simulations
Immerse learners in realistic simulations mirroring actual scenarios. Integrate scoring to enable learners to compare and enhance their performance.
Challenges
Propose time-sensitive challenges where individuals or teams vie to devise optimal solutions. Emphasise creative thinking and problem-solving skills.
Leaderboards
Showcase rankings visually to fuel motivation and infuse a gamified essence into learning endeavors. Ensure leaderboards inspire without demotivating lower-ranked participants.
💡 Pro Tip
Want a sneak peek of what gamification looks like in a BuildEmpire LMS? With our Edition of the core Totara platform, gamification options come as standard.
Check out the BuildEmpire Edition
How to add competition to your learning platform
By now, you’re probably thinking, “Yes, I need competition in my learning platform.”
But the obvious question is, how do you achieve it?
Well, it all depends on your learning platform.
Many providers don’t offer it as standard.
BuildEmpire is different.
We offer gamification modules as standard; that includes points and leaderboards.
See the BuildEmpire Edition to see what else you can expect from our learning platform.
Book a demo to get started with implementing gamification into your LMS.
As a small but growing company, we can offer greater levels of dedication that what you will see from bigger providers.
We work closely with our clients to provide detailed support and quality solutions.
FAQs
Why is competition good for learning?
Competitions provide opportunities for learners to apply and practice skills in real-world contexts. Whether it’s problem-solving, critical thinking, teamwork, or creativity, competitions challenge individuals to develop and demonstrate their competencies.
What are the disadvantages of competition in learning?
While competition in learning has many benefits, it also has disadvantages. It can cause aggression, anxiety or frustration, and lead to ruptured trust between learner and trainee, or between learners.
What is the meaning of competition in education?
Competition in education is where you add in an element of competition where learners try and gain points, win top place on the leaderboard and earn badges.