Gamification Design Principles and Mechanics to Improve Retention

Abstract

The design and guidelines for gamification offer designers a range of solutions to provide empowerment and engagement to assist with retention within education. This chapter addresses a knowledge gap around the effective use while improving retention. With gaming mechanics as a driving point, specific design considerations were explored: badges, leader boards, points and levels, and challenges. The educator must think from the learner's perspective and find new ways of creating challenges and motivation techniques to provide value. Gamification, when applied to different disciplines, has the potential to facilitate the individual within learner-centricity. Current research indicates that gaming mechanics can encourage and motivate the learner while enriching their experience when applied to education.