Gamification

Gamification

Gamified active learning integrates game design elements—such as points, badges, leaderboards, narratives, challenges, and feedback—into non-game contexts like education to enhance motivation, engagement, and learning outcomes. 

Alternative/linked methods: Game-based learning (GBL), Challenge-based gamification, Serious games, Narrative-based gamification, Gameful learning 

Why?

• Boost student motivation and engagement
• Improve learning outcomes and retention 
• Develop 21st-century skills such as collaboration, critical thinking, self-regulation, and creativity 
• Foster inclusive learning environments that support underrepresented groups 

How?

• Use points to reward effort and track progress – Implement badges to recognize achievements and participation 
• Create leaderboards to foster competition and visibility 
• Design narrative-based learning paths with avatars and levels 
• Offer challenges to promote problem-solving and mastery 

When?

• In STEM and non-STEM disciplines, including economics, programming, statistics, and language learning 
• In online, hybrid, and face-to-face learning environments 
• In theoretical and practical courses, including labs and flipped classrooms 
• At any stage of a course, from pre-class preparation to final assessments 

Get Started

• Use Moodle plugins like Level Up to track points and unlock content
• Create gamified quizzes with Kahoot! or custom-built tools 
• Design a narrative-based learning path with avatars and levels 
• Implement digital badges in Moodle for participation in forums, labs, or peer reviews 
• Use leaderboards to show top contributors or most improved students 

Digital Enhancement

• LMS integration: Use Moodle, with gamified elements e.g. Use completion tracking, digital badges and/or the LevelUp XP plugin in Moodle.
• Custom-built games: Use tools like Articulate Storyline or Kahoot! for interactive content 
• Mobile-friendly design: Ensure students can access gamified content on smartphones 
• Social interaction: Use Teams chats or Moodle forums to foster collaboration through discussion
• Feedback and analytics: Track engagement and adapt content accordingly 

Gamification at Manchester Met

• Gamifying the curriculum by Elisa Roldan Ciudad. Read more on Manchester Met Innovate

Resources

• Deterding, S., Dixon, D., Khaled, R. and Nacke, L. ‘From game design elements to gamefulness: defining “gamification”‘, Proceedings of the 15th International Academic MindTrek Conference: Envisioning Future Media Environments, Tampere, Finland: Association for Computing Machinery, 9–15.
• Marin, S., Lee, V. and Landers, R. (2021) ‘Gamified Active Learning and Its Potential for Social Change’, pp. 205-223.
• Murillo-Zamorano, L.R., López Sánchez, J.Á., Godoy-Caballero, A.L. et al. Gamification and active learning in higher education: is it possible to match digital society, academia and students’ interests?. Int J Educ Technol High Educ 18, 15 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1186/s41239-021-00249-y
• Zebari, I. and Alzeebaree, Y. (2022) ‘The effectiveness of blending active learning and gamification in classrooms’, 14, pp. 6970-6977.
• Trinidad, M., Ruiz, M. and Calderon, A. (2021) “A Bibliometric Analysis of Gamification Research,” IEEE Access, 9. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1109/ACCESS.2021.3063986.