Gamification or Game-Based Learning?

By: Justin Ferriman • October 6, 2015
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If you have been around the elearning world long enough you have probably heard of using games in learning.

You have probably heard of gamification.

Chances are you have also heard of game-based learning.

In the situations where you heard these terms being used you likely thought that they were referring to the same thing. However, to some people these three are entirely different.

Sure there are some overlapping features among each one, but the argument is that there are defining characteristics that apply to each individually.

To help demonstrate the differences between these three, Upside Learning has created a nifty infographic using the popular game “hopscotch” as an example (see end of this article).

Personally I have heard of gamification and game-based learning (and know that there is often confusion between the two). I have heard of “games”, but only in the context of, well, games.

I don’t think that there is much confusion in the elearning or training industry towards regular games. The definition for which seems rather straight-forward.

Where there certainly is confusion is between gamification and game-based learning.

Even in looking at the infographic below you are likely to still be a bit confused as to the clear defining factors.

As I had mentioned there is overlap between gamification and game-based learning. This overlap is what leads people to use the two interchangeably.

Of the two, gamification is likely the more popular. We see gamification on nearly a daily basis. If you’re involved in elearning then you’re well aware of the points and badges that are so often used.

What do you think? Are you using these two terms interchangeably? Do you think there are negative consequences to doing so?

Justin Ferriman

Justin started LearnDash, the WordPress LMS trusted by Fortune 500 companies, major universities, training organizations, and entrepreneurs worldwide. He is currently founder & CEO of GapScout. Justin’s Homepage | GapScout | Twitter