How To Select eLearning Badges For Your Gamified eLearning Course
There are a variety of game mechanics to choose from. Leaderboards, points, and levels are just a few examples. But eLearning badges are one of the go-to gamification rewards. eLearning badges give online learners a sense of accomplishment. Online learners have the chance to put their proficiency and mastery proudly on display. eLearning badges can even fuel engagement and active participation for distracted online learners. However, you need to choose the right eLearning badges in order to achieve the desired outcomes. The first step is to research your target audience to identify their main sources of motivation. Then you must find an eLearning badge that rewards their efforts and offers enough incentive. Here are the 8 key factors to consider when choosing your eLearning gamification badges.
1. Skill Mastery
Do your online learners need to brush up on their communication abilities? Are there soft skills that they require in the workplace? If your online learners have skill gaps that must be addressed, skill mastery eLearning badges are an ideal choice. These eLearning badges reward online learners for improving essential skills. This is measured through eLearning simulations, scenarios, and other qualitative eLearning assessments. Bear in mind that skill mastery eLearning badges should be as specific and narrow as possible. For example, broad "leadership" eLearning badges can be broken into an entire collection. From conflict resolution to effective communication with team members.
2. Task Proficiency
Are your online learners struggling to complete important tasks? Do they need to master every step in the process? Are there performance gaps that hinder workplace productivity? All of these online training pain points call for task proficiency eLearning badges. Task proficiency refers to the quality of their performance and their ability to remember key steps. It can also pertain to sub-skills that are necessary to complete the task. For instance, corporate learners need communication and negotiation skills to finish a sales transaction.
3. In-Course Achievements
Online learners have the opportunity to earn in-course achievements by completing eLearning assignments and activities. They can also collect the necessary eLearning badges by participating in online discussions or online group collaboration exercises. Online learners accumulate all of the in-course achievement eLearning badges to unlock the next series of eLearning activities or move onto the next eLearning module. These eLearning badges can even serve as individual merits for task or skill proficiency eLearning badges. For instance, online learners must earn 10 specific eLearning badges in order to take the skill-based eLearning assessment. They earn that respective skill eLearning badge if they pass the online exam.
4. Extracurricular eLearning Activities
Many Learning Management Systems allow you to track extracurricular eLearning activities. For example, online learners report back after they participate in a social media eLearning exercise, or attend a live webinar. The system adds this to their profile and assigns points or eLearning badges. The issue with this particular eLearning badge is that there are countless extracurricular eLearning activities. As such, you must compile a list of those that are badge-worthy so that online learners know what to expect. Lastly, provide clear instructions on how to report their achievements in the system.
5. eLearning Course And Module Completion
This is one of the most popular types of eLearning badges. Online learners earn an eLearning badge each time they successfully complete an eLearning module or full-length eLearning course. It's typically used in eLearning curriculums that involve multiple lessons. Your online learners may benefit from a detailed checklist of eLearning activities and assessments that are part of the package. As well as minimum scores, deadlines, and other pertinent information. For example, they must finish the eLearning course within a month from the start date and receive an 80% or higher on the final exam.
6. eLearning Assessment Scores
Since we're on the subject of exams, eLearning assessment scores are yet another criteria to consider. Most if not all of your eLearning assessments may be mandatory. However, eLearning badges earned during eLearning assessment encourage online learners to study on their own and participate in eLearning activities. Online learners know that they only way to earn the eLearning badge is to make the grade. And this requires dedication, hard work, and research skills.
7. Online Evaluations
Invite your online learners to participate in eLearning simulations, serious games, or branching scenarios. Evaluate their performance or use LMS metrics to identify strengths and areas for improvement. Award eLearning badges to your top performers and individual eLearning badges for specific achievements. For instance, an online learner drastically improves their task performance or masters a vital skill.
8. Long-Term Achievements
These gamification eLearning badges break long-term goals or eLearning assignments into milestones that are easier to manage. For example, online learners must meet 7 individual milestones or short-term goals in order to unlock this coveted eLearning badge. It's a perfect match for a lengthy eLearning course or curriculum that doesn't offer immediate gratification. They are more difficult to achieve, which makes them a mark of distinction. Online learners can proudly display these eLearning badges on eLearning portfolios and potentially even on resumes.
Online learners may be able to provide you with additional criteria that you need to consider. Conduct surveys and interviews to determine their preferences. And then evaluate the data to look for patterns. This can also help you custom tailor your eLearning badges based on their goals and areas for improvement. Your organizational needs are yet another important factor to consider. For example, your customer satisfaction ratings are down. Thus, you can create a customer service excellence eLearning badge for employees to remedy the issue.
eLearning badges may not be the ideal addition to every eLearning course. However, they can be a great source of motivation for online learners who need an extra nudge. The trick is finding the eLearning badges that fuel them to succeed and spark their interest. This requires in depth audience research so that you know their preferences, goals, and personal gaps.
Now you know the basics of eLearning badges. But are your online learners truly prepared for a gamified eLearning course? Read the article 5 Tell-Tale Signs That Your Online Learners Are Ready For Gamification to discover the top tell-tale signs that your learning audience is ready for eLearning badges, points, leaderboards, and levels.
