What is Gamification in Learning?
Gamification is the use of game-like elements and game design applied to a learning system. Just like a video game with points, levels, and badges, gamification in learning is the earning and spending of points, a tiered system of advancement, and the award of badges for the completion of certain sets of projects and exercises.
Game elements such as points are used to motivate learners, to drive learners towards mastery, and to reward when competency has been achieved.
Game elements such as points are used to motivate learners, to drive learners towards mastery, and to reward when competency has been achieved.
A New World of Learning: Gamification Elements
Inspired by research into gamification in video games, online community development, and economic studies, Qwasar uses 6 elements of gamification in learning. These elements are designed to work together to both direct and motivate learners.
Economies, levels, and skills help learners to navigate their own learning and their new technical world while simultaneously allowing them to feel and take confidence in how far they have progressed and what they’re capable of doing.
The reward that comes with finishing a project, plus the responsibility of using correction points wisely, encourages learners to take ownership of their learning, submit work with minimal errors, and progress through their tracks.
Economies, levels, and skills help learners to navigate their own learning and their new technical world while simultaneously allowing them to feel and take confidence in how far they have progressed and what they’re capable of doing.
The reward that comes with finishing a project, plus the responsibility of using correction points wisely, encourages learners to take ownership of their learning, submit work with minimal errors, and progress through their tracks.
Gamification Design Matters
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The Gamification in
Learning Spectrum
Gamification in learning can range from a simple points system to a sophisticated and science-backed system that aims to fuel learner motivation and impacts learner outcomes.
Not all “gamified” programs or platforms are backed by learning science, psychology, or neuroscience, and thus do not obtain the same outcomes.
Properly designed systems can have a significant impact on learner motivation, duration, and program completion.
Not all “gamified” programs or platforms are backed by learning science, psychology, or neuroscience, and thus do not obtain the same outcomes.
Properly designed systems can have a significant impact on learner motivation, duration, and program completion.
MOOCs
Bootcamps
CS Degrees
CS Degrees
Holberton
Qwasar
Lectures +
Simple exercises
Simple exercises
Lectures +
1 Real project
1 Real project
Lectures +
5 Real project
5 Real project
10 Real projects + Instructors
All projects, no Instructors
Learners do not develop soft skills
Learners develop 21st-century skills and soft skills
Selected Gamification in Learning Research
Below we share some links to academic research articles or papers on gamification in learning.
Project Progression and Difficulty
We spend a lot of time analyzing the complexity, difficulty, and cognitive challenge of each project. This ties deeply to learning science and our experience in learning design.
The vast majority of other providers do not understand or apply project-based learning science or cognitive development science to their curricula. At Qwasar, it is the very core of what we do and where we have years of experience.
The vast majority of other providers do not understand or apply project-based learning science or cognitive development science to their curricula. At Qwasar, it is the very core of what we do and where we have years of experience.
Our Points System
A New World of Learning
Gamification Elements
Inspired by research into gamification in video games, online community development, and economic studies, Qwasar uses 6 elements of gamification in learning. These elements are designed to work together to both direct and motivate learners.
Economies, levels, and skills help learners to navigate their own learning and their new technical world while simultaneously allowing them to feel and take confidence in how far they have progressed and what they’re capable of doing.
The reward that comes with finishing a project, plus the responsibility of using correction points wisely, encourages learners to take ownership of their learning, submit work with minimal errors, and progress through their tracks.
Economies, levels, and skills help learners to navigate their own learning and their new technical world while simultaneously allowing them to feel and take confidence in how far they have progressed and what they’re capable of doing.
The reward that comes with finishing a project, plus the responsibility of using correction points wisely, encourages learners to take ownership of their learning, submit work with minimal errors, and progress through their tracks.
A PROEJCT
Earn project or experience points for each project successfully completed.
POINTS
To submit a project for review, to be graded, learners spend points.
Each time a learner completes a peer code review for another learner, they earn points. Learners also earn points each day they log on.
Learners can also earn points by helping out other learners in the community, answering questions in our forums.
GAMIFICATION DESIGN MATTERS
Incorrectly designing a gamification system can have negative effects and results on learner motivation and behaviour. The use of these 6 elements is to encourage learning and to motivate the learner.
What is Peer Learning
and How Does It Happen at
and How Does It Happen at
Labs and
group work
studies and
discussions
assignments
small groups
Youtube, and other
online resources
reviews
channels
Peer Learning is Backed by Scientific Research
Below we share selected academic research articles on peer learning.
Learn more
Learn more
Learn more
Learn more
Learn more
Learn more
Peer Learning and the Learning Community
In giving and receiving peer reviews, students learn how to communicate about their work and how to give and receive feedback. This is important for developing soft skills as well as preparing for the workplace where peer reviews are generally part of tech jobs.
By participating as a reviewer and a reviewee, learners contribute to the overall learning community. Reviewers also receive feedback from reviewees, providing motivation for reviewers in a manner similar to what occurs in the workplace.
By participating as a reviewer and a reviewee, learners contribute to the overall learning community. Reviewers also receive feedback from reviewees, providing motivation for reviewers in a manner similar to what occurs in the workplace.
Peer learning is a method of learning from your peers, in a formal or informal context.
A lot of peer learning happens at work, and in a learning context, peer learning requires structure, rules, facilitation, and monitoring.
Peer learning is often one of the things students enjoy the most.
Peer learning is often one of the things students enjoy the most.
Peer Reviews Are a Learning Tool and Industry Standard
Peer code reviews are an industry standard and part of every engineer or developer’s job. They help maintain high quality, decrease bugs and errors, reduce future tech debt, and more.
Students learn in being reviewed and in reviewing, and are operating at the top four levels of the skills pyramid. Reviewers must evaluate, analyze, think critically, and create ways to break the submitted solution and construct tests.
Students learn in being reviewed and in reviewing, and are operating at the top four levels of the skills pyramid. Reviewers must evaluate, analyze, think critically, and create ways to break the submitted solution and construct tests.
Reviewers must actively participate, engage, and respond. This is different from passive learning such as lectures, presentations, MOOCs, or watching online videos.
remember
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apply
remember
understand
apply
understand
apply
analyse
understand
apply
analyse
apply
analyse
evaluate
Create
apply
analyse
evaluate
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analyse
evaluate
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evaluate
Create
Create
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Create
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How Peer Code
Reviews Works
Reviews Works
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QWASAR
Gamification in Learning
How we apply and use gamified elements as a means of motivating learners and guiding behaviors.