Gamification from Coursera

What's inside

Syllabus

Gamification and Games

Gamification is a new field, but games are ancient. In this first module, we'll look at what gamification is, why organizations are applying it, and where it comes from. While there isn’t universal agreement on the scope of the field, a set of concepts are clearly representative of gamification. The second lesson explains why the concept of games is deeper than most people realize, and how game design serves as a foundation for gamification.

Deconstructing Games

What exactly does it mean to apply game design principles in non-game contexts? In this module, we'll discuss how game designers approach their craft, and how to see any situation through the lens of game design. Then we'll examine the raw materials of games and gamification, known as game elements. We'll earn how to break down a game into its constituent parts and apply them to create gamified systems.

Motivation and Psychology

Gamification is a technique for motivation, so it ties very directly into psychology. This unit introduces the major psychological concepts relevant to gamification. The first lesson focuses on behavioral approaches and reward design; the second identifies the risks and alternatives to this approach.

Design

Gamification done well is a form of design. This module describes the design process, and provides a six-step framework to apply to any gamification project. The second lesson identifies important considerations and options for developing creative, human-centered, thoughtful gamification solutions.

Applications

This module describes particular challenges and opportunities when applying gamification in two contexts: within an organization, and in social impact or behavior change environments.

Gamification in Perspective

There are many legitimate limitations, concerns, and dangers from gamification. Some of them can be avoided through thoughtful design, but others must be considered directly in any implementation. The final lesson details gamification-related techniques that go beyond those covered throughout the course, and concludes with a look toward the future.

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Explores gamification, which is a rapidly growing field with applications in business, education, and social impact

Taught by Kevin Werbach, an expert in gamification and behavioral economics

Provides a comprehensive overview of gamification, from its basic principles to its latest applications

Offers hands-on exercises and real-world case studies to help learners apply gamification techniques

Suitable for learners with a wide range of backgrounds, including business professionals, educators, and social impact practitioners

May require additional resources for learners who want to delve deeper into specific aspects of gamification

Reviews summary

Well-received introduction to gamification

Learners say this course provides a solid overview of gamification, including real-world examples and research. Instructor Werbach is knowledgeable, engaging, and presents informative and entertaining lectures. Assignments provide practical application of concepts learned. The course is suitable for those new to gamification or those looking to enhance their knowledge. Overall, learners found this course insightful and recommend it to others interested in the topic.

Course is suitable for those new to the concept of gamification.

"If you are someone who is just looking to learn more about the concepts of gamification and how it is applied, this course is an excellent introduction."

"Kevin Werbach really integrates his content into his lectures, which are interesting and full of real-world examples."

"I've already finish the course back in 2014 I believe, and I'm taking the course once again, just because it's great and I'll review the lectures to keep the concepts and techniques fresh!!"

Course includes numerous examples of gamification in practice.

"Examples of games and gamification are plentiful in the course so it's easy to follow the material."

"He even “gamifies” his lectures a bit by telling students to look for a hidden code in the background of his lectures."

"Very instructive. A course absolutely necessary for any activity with groups work or to improve customer relationship. Ease to learn."

Assignments provide opportunities to apply concepts learned.

"The requirements were a combination of weekly quizzes, three written assignments, and a final -- pretty similar to what a classroom based course would have."

"I really enjoyed this course because it was well prepared, the professor is really knowledgeable, the assignments were challenging, and the quizzes and exams did test what I learned."

"Outstanding. Top ranking class. Well prepared, well presented, engaging delivery. The professor is so good he took me from not knowing what the word meant and floundering in the first quiz, to excelling in the projects and applying course principles to real life."

Lectures are presented in an interesting and entertaining manner.

"Werbach is an engaging speaker and is very comfortable with speaking to the camera. His lectures are informative and interesting, and often entertaining as well."

"Kevin's enthusiasm and large use of visualization are definitely the keys to make students like me to join and stay in the class, easy to follow while learning important business techniques."

"Outstanding. Top ranking class. Well prepared, well presented, engaging delivery."

Instructor is well-versed in the subject matter.

"Professor Werbach is knowledgeable and presents informative lectures."

"Werbach's lectures are great."

"My first experience with online education. Couldn't think of a better first impression."

"Werbach's enthusiasm and large use of visualization are definitely the keys to make students like me to join and stay in the class, easy to follow while learning important business techniques."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Gamification with these activities:

Explore online resources on gamification principles

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Additional resources can provide supplementary information and examples to reinforce your understanding of the course material.

Browse courses on Online Learning

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Search for online tutorials on gamification principles.
Follow the tutorials and apply the principles to examples.

Read 'For the Win: How Game Thinking Can Revolutionize Your Business'

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The book covers the concepts of gamification and game design in detail, providing a solid foundation for understanding the course material.

View For the Win, Revised and Updated Edition: The... on Amazon

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Read the book and take notes on the key concepts.
Identify examples of gamification in your own life.

Organize and review notes and course materials regularly

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Regular review and synthesis of course materials will improve retention and understanding.

Browse courses on Note-Taking

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Set aside time each week to review notes.
Organize notes and materials in a logical structure.

Six other activities

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Join a study group for the course

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Collaborating with peers can provide different perspectives, support, and motivation.

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Find or create a study group with classmates.
Meet regularly to review course material and discuss concepts.

Attend a gamification conference or meetup

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Engaging with professionals in the field can provide insights, connections, and additional learning opportunities.

Browse courses on Networking

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Research and identify upcoming gamification conferences or meetups.
Attend the event and participate in discussions.

Practice designing game elements and mechanics

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Hands-on practice in designing game elements and mechanics will help you apply the course concepts to real-world scenarios.

Browse courses on Game Design

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Create a list of game elements and mechanics.
Design a game using the elements and mechanics you listed.

Contribute to an open-source gamification project

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Contributing to an open-source project allows you to gain practical experience and collaborate with others in the field.

Browse courses on Open Source

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Find an open-source gamification project that interests you.
Identify how you can contribute to the project.

Participate in a gamification design competition

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Participating in a competition can push your limits, enhance your creativity, and provide feedback on your progress.

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Research and find a suitable gamification design competition.
Develop a gamified solution and submit your entry.

Develop a gamified solution for a real-world problem

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Applying your knowledge of gamification to a real-world problem will demonstrate your understanding of the concepts and their practical applications.

Browse courses on Problem Solving

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Identify a real-world problem that could benefit from gamification.
Design a gamified solution to the problem.

Career center

Learners who complete Gamification will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Game Designer

Game Designers apply game design principles to create engaging and fun games. This course, Gamification, provides a strong foundation in game design principles and techniques, which are directly applicable to a career as a Game Designer. By understanding the motivations behind game mechanics and behaviors, learners of this course will be well-equipped to create games that not only entertain but also effectively engage and reward players.

See salaries and explore the career path for Game Designer

UX Designer

UX Designers are responsible for designing the user experience of digital products and services. This course, Gamification, can be highly valuable to a UX Designer as it provides insights into how to apply game mechanics to create engaging and motivating user experiences. By understanding the principles of gamification, UX Designers can create digital products and services that are not only user-friendly but also enjoyable to use.

See salaries and explore the career path for UX Designer

Product Manager

Product Managers are responsible for the development and management of products and services. This course, Gamification, can be beneficial to a Product Manager as it provides knowledge on how to apply game mechanics and techniques to enhance product experiences. By incorporating gamification principles into their products, Product Managers can increase user engagement, loyalty, and satisfaction.

See salaries and explore the career path for Product Manager

Learning and Development Manager

Learning and Development Managers oversee the training and development of employees within an organization. This course, Gamification, can be valuable to a Learning and Development Manager as it provides insights into how to use game elements and techniques to create engaging and effective learning experiences. By applying gamification principles to employee training programs, Learning and Development Managers can increase learner motivation and retention.

See salaries and explore the career path for Learning and Development Manager

Marketing Manager

Marketing Managers develop and implement marketing campaigns to promote products and services. This course, Gamification, can be useful to a Marketing Manager as it provides knowledge on how to apply game elements and techniques to create engaging and memorable marketing campaigns. By integrating gamification principles into their campaigns, Marketing Managers can increase audience engagement, brand recognition, and lead generation.

See salaries and explore the career path for Marketing Manager

Sales Manager

Sales Managers lead sales teams and develop strategies to achieve sales goals. This course, Gamification, may be helpful to a Sales Manager as it provides insights into how to apply game elements and techniques to motivate sales teams and increase sales performance. By implementing gamification principles into sales processes, Sales Managers can encourage healthy competition, reward success, and drive results.

See salaries and explore the career path for Sales Manager

Customer Success Manager

Customer Success Managers help customers get the most value out of products and services. This course, Gamification, may be useful to a Customer Success Manager as it provides knowledge on how to apply game elements and techniques to create engaging and rewarding customer experiences. By implementing gamification principles into customer support and onboarding processes, Customer Success Managers can increase customer satisfaction and retention.

See salaries and explore the career path for Customer Success Manager

Business Analyst

Business Analysts gather and analyze data to help businesses improve their operations. This course, Gamification, may be helpful to a Business Analyst as it provides a deeper understanding of human motivation and behavior. By applying gamification principles to business processes, Business Analysts can increase employee engagement, productivity, and innovation.

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Project Manager

Project Managers plan, execute, and close projects. This course, Gamification, may be useful to a Project Manager as it provides insights into how to apply game elements and techniques to motivate project teams and stakeholders. By incorporating gamification principles into project management processes, Project Managers can increase team collaboration, reduce delays, and improve project outcomes.

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Data Analyst

Data Analysts collect, analyze, and interpret data to identify trends and patterns. This course, Gamification, may be helpful to a Data Analyst as it provides a deeper understanding of human behavior and motivation. By applying gamification principles to data analysis processes, Data Analysts can make data more engaging and actionable, leading to better decision-making.

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Software Engineer

Software Engineers design, develop, and maintain software applications. This course, Gamification, may be useful to a Software Engineer as it provides insights into how to apply game design principles to create engaging and user-friendly software applications. By incorporating gamification principles into their designs, Software Engineers can increase user adoption, satisfaction, and retention.

See salaries and explore the career path for Software Engineer

Quality Assurance Analyst

Quality Assurance Analysts test and evaluate software applications to ensure they meet quality standards. This course, Gamification, may be useful to a Quality Assurance Analyst as it provides a deeper understanding of user behavior and motivation. By applying gamification principles to testing processes, Quality Assurance Analysts can make testing more engaging and effective, leading to higher quality software products.

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Technical Writer

Technical Writers create and maintain technical documentation for software products and services. This course, Gamification, may be useful to a Technical Writer as it provides insights into how to apply game design principles to create engaging and user-friendly documentation. By incorporating gamification principles into their writing, Technical Writers can increase reader engagement, comprehension, and retention.

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Game Developer

Game Developers design and develop video games for a variety of platforms. This course, Gamification, may be useful to a Game Developer as it provides a deeper understanding of game design principles and techniques. By applying gamification principles to their game designs, Game Developers can create games that are not only fun and engaging, but also motivating and rewarding.

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Instructional Designer

Instructional Designers create and develop training and educational programs. This course, Gamification, may be useful to an Instructional Designer as it provides insights into how to apply game design principles to create engaging and effective learning experiences. By incorporating gamification principles into their designs, Instructional Designers can increase learner motivation, retention, and satisfaction.

See salaries and explore the career path for Instructional Designer