Lessons from Game Design: Turning Learning into Engaging Experiences

[MarisaBluestone]

Whether we’re besting our besties at Worldle, guessing the almost right answer when Jeopardy! is on, or playing solitaire on our phone, games seem to be everywhere. They’ve been around for millennia, captivating people of all ages and backgrounds. But what is it about games that makes them so universally appealing? And, importantly, as educators, how can we harness the same principles to create learning experiences that are just as compelling? 

As it turns out, game design offers a wealth of strategies that can be applied to educational contexts to transform how students interact with and absorb information. In a session at the Textbook & Academic Authors Association annual meeting in June, textbook author and former instructor Thomas Heinzen encouraged authors to “try thinking like a game designer.” “We love phones and games; why can’t we create textbooks as compelling as them?” he said.

Here are some ways that instructors can do just that:

The Power of Storytelling and Visuals: Games are masterful at weaving narratives that draw players in. Similarly, incorporating storytelling into educational materials can make learning more relatable and memorable. Use visuals that evoke positive emotions and depict successful student journeys to add joy and context to the learning process.

Simplifying Complex Concepts: Just as hopscotch is a universally appealing game due to its simplicity and collaborative nature, educational content should be broken down into manageable, engaging segments. Simplified explanations and interactive examples can make even the most complex subjects accessible and enjoyable.

Gamifying Skill Progression: One of the key elements in games is the concept of leveling up. In an educational setting, this can translate to mastery learning, where students progress at their own pace, mastering foundational skills before moving on to more advanced topics. “Think in terms of ‘badge’ mechanics,” Heinzen said. This method ensures that students build a solid understanding, fostering confidence and competence. 

Encouraging Collaboration and Peer Coaching: Games often promote spontaneous, stigma-free interactions among players. In the classroom, creating opportunities for students to coach each other can lead to organic, effective learning experiences. This peer-to-peer interaction helps reinforce understanding and builds a supportive learning community.

Designing for Intrinsic Motivation: The ultimate goal is to make learning so interesting that students are intrinsically motivated to engage with the material. Use game mechanics like points, badges, and leaderboards to create a sense of achievement and competition. Ensure that these elements are designed to foster learning and curiosity rather than mere completion.

Embracing Failure as a Learning Tool: Games teach players to fail forward, using setbacks as opportunities to learn and improve. In education, this can be applied by allowing students multiple attempts to master a concept, recording only their highest score. This approach reduces the stigma of failure and encourages a growth mindset. Speaking of failing forward …

Help Students Cheat: But do it in a way that maximizes their learning.  Let students take the tests as many times as they want with only the highest score recorded (but don’t give them the answers, and change the questions so students are motivated to search for them.)

Creating Positive Onboarding Experiences: The beginning of any learning journey should be engaging and exciting. Just as games use captivating introductions to hook players, educators should design the start of a course or textbook to grab students' attention and set a positive tone for the material ahead.

By incorporating the principles of game design into educational practices, we can create learning experiences that are not only informative but also engaging and enjoyable. By thinking about the experience we're delivering, we have the chance to do novel things in education, inspiring and motivating students in new and exciting ways. “Game designers don’t design games, they design experiences,” Heinzen said.