Gamification has become a buzzword in online education, but does adding game-like elements actually improve student engagement and learning outcomes? Some instructors are experimenting with features like badges, leaderboards, and point-based rewards to motivate students, but the effectiveness of these strategies seems to depend on how they are implemented.
At its core, gamification is about tapping into motivation. Some students thrive in competitive environments, while others respond better to personal challenges and progress tracking. Simply adding a leaderboard won’t necessarily make an online course more engaging—students need to feel that the rewards are meaningful and that their efforts contribute to real learning.
The best gamification strategies focus on building a sense of achievement. For example, setting up small challenges with immediate feedback, offering optional “bonus levels” for deeper learning, or allowing students to track their progress through visual indicators can create a sense of progression. When gamification aligns with course objectives rather than serving as a distraction, it can help students stay engaged and committed.
However, gamification isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution. Some learners may find game elements fun and motivating, while others may feel overwhelmed, distracted, or uninterested. The key is to experiment, gather student feedback, and adjust strategies to support different learning styles.
As online learning continues to evolve, gamification remains a promising tool—but like any educational technique, it works best when thoughtfully designed to enhance learning rather than just add entertainment value to a course.
Upcoming Events
Canvas Accessibility Week
February 17-20, 2025
This week-long series will cover a variety of accessibility concerns that are important in online courses and any courses using the Canvas LMS. Led by Clemson Online Digital Learning Strategists, Canvas Accessibility Week will teach you the tips and best practices for making your instructional content accessible for all learners.
All sessions will be held over Zoom and Zoom recordings will be sent out to all who register. Click here to register for individual sessions or the entire series.
Contact Millie Tullis with any questions about our Digital Accessibility Week.
Introduction to Simple Syllabus
Thursday, February 27, 3:00-3:30pm
Join us for our “Introduction to Simple Syllabus” presentation on Thursday, February 27, from 3-3:30 pm! This training will demonstrate how to use the Simple Syllabus tool to build and publish an effective syllabus for your course. The training will also cover integrating Simple Syllabus with Canvas and the benefits of using this tool in your course.
Facilitated by David Bassett, Learning Technology Manager.
Register here to recieve the Zoom link.
Clemson Online Spring 2025 Events Calendar
Review our Spring 2025 Events Calendar to see what Online Instruction Development opportunities await!
We have a robust lineup of topics and live training formats to support your use of Canvas and other e-learning tools. Topics cover demonstrations of using Kaltura, engaging your students, and workshops to get your Canvas site ready to teach!
All of our live training is recorded. Registrants will automatically receive a link to that day’s video after it has been processed.
Contact Millie Tullis with any questions regarding these sessions.
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