Gamification of Training: The Emotion of Engagement

The key to deep understanding and true learning is engagement. A learner who is interested will be motivated to put forth greater effort and desire to continue learning. This is one of the greatest reasons that training gamification is so effective.
Gamification introduces elements of gameplay into a non-game environment. It can take the mundane and make it absorbing. When it comes right down to it, gamification is driven by emotion. It goes deeper than having fun, too!

Training gamification and emotion

Gamification gets its draw by tapping into human emotions. Here’s what that looks like:

Acknowledgement. Everyone likes to be noticed for the positive things they accomplish. Badges, levels, and leaderboards all provide recognition that a player has done well and it does so in a way that is public. The player is driven to continue reaching goals and receiving accolades.
Achievement. Most people enjoy the feeling they get when they face a challenge and overcome it. They view the challenges of gamification as something to be faced head-on and conquered and they revel in their accomplishment. External rewards may be appreciated, but the intrinsic rewards are what drives a learner to continue striving.
Competitiveness. Vying against others is a huge motivator for many. This is another area where leaderboards come into play. A competitive person can visually see where they fall and who they need to strive to beat. Everyone has that feeling of competition, though it shows up in varying degrees in each individual.
Generosity. Gamification can encourage a sense of community and teamwork. When one member of a team sees another who is struggling, they usually want to give them a hand. This is an especially important component in a corporate setting. The reason? While each person has their own individual goals, they are all working together toward the success of their company. By helping someone else, they’re helping themselves and the greater good of the business.

Benefits in the workplace

All of these differing emotions work together to motivate learners to accomplish the goals set for them by their employer. The benefits to the company are numerous, but two stand out:

Employees who are well-prepared. When an employee has been engaged and invested in a training program, they will comprehend the information in a way that makes the knowledge flow naturally when they have to use it in a real-life situation. Employees who feel equipped to do their job will do it with confidence.
Customers and clients are satisfied. When an employee of a company knows what they are doing and is well-acquainted with the ins and outs of the products and services they are selling, a customer knows it. When they have a positive experience with a company they are more likely to give that company their repeat business and to refer others.

The roles of emotion and psychology as driving forces in the success of gamification in corporate training should not be overlooked. They are the basis for a comprehensive learning experience.