How do you use gamification effectively in your learning? In this episode of Impact Champs, we break down how to use gamification in corporate learning the right way.
Learn when to use simulations, points, badges, leaderboards, and streaks; how to align rewards with learning outcomes (not vanity clicks); and how to measure real impact with analytics.
Expect practical examples (Duolingo, Stack Overflow), tips to prevent “gaming the system,” and design ideas you can apply to your next learning module. Perfect for L&D leaders, instructional designers, and learning technologists looking to drive engagement and performance.
Side-note: ClearXP makes gamification really easy.
---
About the Hosts and Guests
Andrew Bloye is the Managing Director of ClearXP and has built many rich, interactive learning programs for large corporate clients.
David N. Johnson is the Chief Technology Officer of ClearXP
---
In this Episode
(0:00) Introduction & Meet the Guests
(1:30) What Is Gamification and why it's important
(4:00) Gamification needs to align with expected learner behaviours
(7:04) How do build simulations with effective reward mechanisms
(13:30) Leaderboards: when they work well and when they don't
(16:05) Can gamification in learning detract from productivity at work?
(17:10) Badges: how to use them effectively
(22:05) How social learning and recognition can improve learning effectiveness
(23:35) Duolingo's use of gamification (especially streaks and leaderboards) to keep learners hooked
(30:58) How Stack Overflow used gamification to become one of the largest Q&A sites on the web
(38:20) When rewards become a perverse incentive
(40:25) Summary of what we've learned and wrap up
---
Referenced
How to hook 500M users: breaking down Duolingo’s gamification | Mary Borysova
Reputation in Stack Overflow
Reputation Gaming in Stack Overflow | Iren Mazloomzadeh, Gias Udin, Foutse Khomh, Ashkan Sami
Impacts of gamification on intrinsic motivation | Camilla Dahlstrøm, Norwegian University of Science and Technology
