“The gamification of learning,” Jesse Moyer, Futureofed.org. Features a TED Talk.
Everything is being “gamified” these days. Now, you might wince, but there are some benefits to doing this. “Achievements” may sound corny, but here’s what I see them doing: they set low-grade celebratory gateways to skill learning and practice. They keep people engaged between points. Achievements are little more than milestones: and we do celebrate these. Birthday cakes and presents are an example of an “achievement”–you’ve gotten through a year, you survived, you learned. Well done. Report cards are another form of achievement (at least, if you have As or Bs). Employee reviews are a form of an achievement, as are bonuses and raises. What’s the difference between these kinds of milestone rewards and gamification, with points, rewards, achievements and the like?
Some of might think there’s no place in the church or missions for this kind of thing, pointing the the folly of pride. I would generally disagree, but I’m doing so more instinctively than anything else. I wonder if some kind of silly “achievement” system in a church or mission might not be, if done semi-humorously, a very sticky thing? What do you think? Is this a completely silly idea?
