Want to level up your knowledge of gamified learning? You’re in the right place.
Gamification isn’t a trend. It’s backed by real results.
Did you know that gamified learning experiences can boost employee engagement by up to 48%?
Meanwhile, traditional learning methods still struggle to engage learners.
Game-based features integrate elements like points, badges, leaderboards and challenges to make the learning experience more enjoyable.
It makes challenges fun.
So, how can you use it in your learning strategy?
Keep reading to learn:
- What gamified learning is
- The benefits of gamified learning
- Gamified learning vs traditional learning
- How to incorporate gamified learning
Let’s get started.
What is gamified learning?
Game-based learning is the approach of using game mechanics (like you see in video games) such as points, badges, leaderboards, challenges and storytelling, and brings it into the learning process.
Gamified learning adds competition and gives learners a sense of achievement and visual progression.
And it makes it more interactive and engaging.
Who wouldn’t want that?
It works because it taps into human motivation.
It encourages learners to actively participate as they progress through tasks.
Related: Gamification in learning
So, what does gamified learning look like?
What does game-based learning look like?
Gamified learning is the fusion of education and game mechanics, designed to make the learning process more engaging, interactive, and enjoyable.
But what does it look like in practice?
Here are some key features of gamified learning:
- Badges
- Points
- Leaderboards
- Storytelling
Let’s dive into them…
Badges
Badges are virtual trophies that motivate learners by marking milestones and recognising progress.
They’re more than just symbols of success; they push learners to take on new challenges and keep improving.
Each badge has clear criteria, whether it’s completing a module, finishing a course, or reaching a new learning goal.
For many, badges become a tangible reminder of their hard work and learning journey, driving goal-setting and growth.
And when you add a bit of healthy competition, badges spark learners to outdo themselves and their peers.
Related: Learning motivation: Definition and LMS Strategies
Ultimately, badges are a powerful motivator, offering a simple way to recognise achievement and keep learners striving for more.
Points
Points are pretty much what they say on the tin.
A user completes a specific action, the LMS awards them with points.
They’re great at keeping learners coming back for more.
You can set up point allocation for a range of different actions, like:
- Reaching specific goals
- Logging in
- Completing courses
💡 Pro Tip
With our BuildEmpire Edition, you can add in points for whatever you like, whether it be for completed courses, engaging in forums, or logging in streaks. And you can customise the point values for different actions.
If you want to be really creative, you can even use points as a way to unlock new and exciting content. Or even better, to count towards real-life rewards.
At the end of the day, points make learning feel less like a tick-box exercise and more like a game.
And that’s what keeps learners coming back for more.
Leaderboards
Want to add a little spark to learning?
Leaderboards are the perfect way to do it.
They track rankings based on points, achievements, or improvements, giving learners a clear view of where they stand and how they measure up to others.
Seeing peers move ahead can trigger that competitive drive, inspiring learners to climb the ranks and push themselves even harder.
But it’s not all about winning.
Leaderboards are designed to motivate learners to aim higher, celebrate progress, and continuously improve.
When done right, they create a fun, community-driven rivalry that keeps everyone involved.
And let’s be honest, if you’re high on the leaderboard, it’s hard not to enjoy that moment of recognition.
Bottom line? Leaderboards turn learning into something people actually want to be a part of, engaging, motivating, and fun.
💡 Pro Tip
Build healthy competition in learning with your bespoke leaderboard in our BuildEmpire Edition.
Storytelling
This is where the magic happens.
Storytelling transforms your learning experience from “meh” to memorable.
It’s not just about facts and figures; it’s about making learners care about what they’re learning.
You can bring storytelling into an LMS in various ways: character-led scenarios, case studies, or a storyline that evolves as learners progress.
It turns abstract ideas into something real and relatable.
Something they can remember. Because people remember stories, not slides.
With a good story, learners are solving problems, making decisions, and seeing the impact of their choices.
That emotional connection helps the content stick, leading to better retention.
And when learners are immersed in the story, they stay and enjoy the journey.
Benefits of gamified learning
Gamified learning is more than just adding points and badges to lessons.
Game mechanics can help you achieve better learning by making the platform more enjoyable.
Related: Gamification statistics you need to know
This includes:
- Increase collaboration and social learning
- Increased learner engagement
- Improved knowledge
- Boosted motivation
- Encourages healthy competition
Here are some of the benefits:
1. Increased learner engagement
Gamification helps boost learner engagement by transforming passive, traditional education into an interactive and rewarding experience.
Sounds cheesy, right?
But with points, challenges and rewards gives learner a sense of achievement as they progress.
In fact, implementing gamification can lead to a 50% increase in workforce productivity and a 60% boost in employee engagement.
When learning feels fun and immersive, your learners are more likely to stay focused, participate consistently, and retain information effectively.
2. Improved knowledge retention
Gamification enhances learning retention by making educational content more interactive, engaging, and memorable.
Gamification elements can help reinforce knowledge in a meaningful way.
Traditional learning methods tend to rely on memorisation. But, gamification encourages repetition, problem-solving, and real-world application which are all key factors in long-term retention.
Studies indicate that gamified learning experiences can increase retention rates by as much as 90%.
Related: See what Duolingo gets right with eLearning
3. Boosted motivation
Gamification boosts motivation by tapping into both intrinsic and extrinsic drivers that encourage learners to stay engaged and committed.
The use of rewards, such as points, badges, and progress tracking, provides a sense of accomplishment, making learning feel more goal-oriented and rewarding.
Related: Learner motivation and strategies
Leaderboards and challenges create a sense of competition, driving learners to push themselves further.
At the same time, personalised learning paths and immediate feedback help maintain a sense of progress, keeping motivation high.
4. Encourages healthy competition
Gamification introduces an element of healthy competition that can drive performance without creating a high-pressure environment.
Leaderboards, team challenges, and achievement badges encourage learners to push themselves while still encouraging collaboration and camaraderie.
When competition is structured positively, it motivates individuals to improve rather than feel discouraged.
In workplaces, for example, friendly competition can boost productivity, as employees strive to complete training modules or skill-based tasks to earn rewards.
Related: The importance of competition in learning
The key is balance. When done right, gamification turns learning into a fun and engaging experience where everyone is inspired to grow, rather than just “win.”
5. Increases collaboration and social learning
Gamification enhances collaboration and social learning by encouraging teamwork, communication, and shared problem-solving.
Multiplayer challenges, group leaderboards, and cooperative tasks create opportunities for learners to interact, exchange ideas, and support each other.
Especially when you’re using a platform like Totara, you can access forums, resource playlists and more which makes learning a really collaborative environment.
This social aspect not only makes learning more engaging but also reinforces knowledge retention, as discussing and applying concepts with others deepens understanding.
Gamified learning vs traditional learning
Gamified learning and traditional learning take vastly different approaches to education.
Traditional learning often relies on passive methods such as lectures, textbooks, and memorisation, which can lead to disengagement and lower retention rates.
In contrast, gamified learning integrates interactive elements like rewards, challenges, and progress tracking to make education more engaging and enjoyable.
While traditional methods focus on structured, one-size-fits-all instruction, gamification allows for personalised learning paths where learners can progress at their own pace.
By making learning more dynamic and immersive, gamified education can significantly enhance motivation, retention, and overall learning outcomes.
Here’s a full breakdown of gamified learning vs traditional learning and what it looks like:
| Feature | Gamified Learning | Traditional Learning |
|---|---|---|
| Engagement | High – interactive elements keep learners motivated. | Often lower – passive methods can lead to disengagement. |
| Motivation | Boosted by rewards, challenges, and competition. | Relies on self-discipline and external expectations. |
| Retention | Higher – active participation improves memory recall. | Lower – memorisation without engagement can fade quickly. |
| Feedback | Immediate feedback through progress tracking and rewards. | Delayed feedback through periodic tests and assessments. |
| Learning Style | Personalised – learners progress at their own pace. | One-size-fits-all approach with fixed timelines. |
| Assessment | Low-stakes, continuous progress tracking. | High-stakes exams that can be stressful. |
| Collaboration | Encourages teamwork through leaderboards and group challenges. | Often individual-focused, with limited interaction. |
| Fun Factor | High – learning feels like a game, making it enjoyable. | Lower – often viewed as a task rather than an experience. |
| Application | Encourages problem-solving and real-world application. | Often theoretical, with limited hands-on learning. |
How to incorporate gamified learning into your learning programme
So you’re ready to add gamified learning into your learning programme?
Looking at the benefits, we can’t blame you.
You stand to make a huge impact, for very little effort.
Here’s a quick step process to follow when incorporating gamified learning into your strategy:
First, consider your learning needs
Before you start adding gamified elements, you need to fully understand who you’re delivering to, and what they need.
You might want to do a learning needs analysis to help you understand what skills are missing.
If you’re delivering accountancy training, then your strategy is going to look different to someone onboarding a new nurse at a hospital.
It doesn’t mean either can or can’t use gamification, but it will of course look different on a case by case basis.
Make sure you’re using the right learning management system
Already using an LMS?
Does it have gamification capabilities? If it doesn’t, how can you achieve gamification?
It might be worth considering migrating to a different LMS.
Consider if you’re with a platform that prioritises learning tools that match learner needs. Chances are you’re stuck with a platform that’s delivering learning the same way it has for the past 20 years.
BuildEmpire is a platinum partner of Totara, meaning you get access to a trusted and well-used platform. But our team of developers take core Totara, and improve it.
Our gamification module allows you to add all of the storytelling features you need to encourage better engagement and learning retention.
Add gamified elements where relevant
Once you’ve got the right platform set up, it’s time to add your gamification elements.
Make sure to audit your previous content and see what you can tweak.
Add badges and leaderboards to your platform and set up point scoring.
Build new content, or edit existing learning content, to provide bite-sized, engagement-focussed training modules.
Monitor the impact and reiterate
You can’t set gamification live and just leave it.
How are learners responding to it?
Are they engaging in points scoring? Are they fighting for the top spot on your leaderboards?
How is your gamified learning working in comparison to older content?
Analyse your learning performance and use the data to constantly improve it and keep spinning the wheel.
Ready to add game-based learning to your platform?
Game-based learning is here to stay.
If you’d like to engage, motivate and retain learners, then it’s something you need to incorporate.
Traditional methods just won’t match up.
Remember those benefits we mentioned earlier? Rewards, challenges and real-time feedback drive real results, making learning immersive and interactive.
That’s what you need to make learners actually want to learn and keep on learning.
Gamified learning seems like a good idea, right?
Whether you’re trying to improve engagement, boost knowledge retention or cultivate collaboration, gamification will help you get there.
Want to see how gamification can make learning captivating and elevate your results?
Book a demo with BuildEmpire today and discover how we can help you create a dynamic learning experience.
