Strategies for Meaningful Gamification: Concepts behind Transformative Play

and Participatory Museums

Scott Nicholson @snicholsonSyracuse University

School of Information Studies

Because Play Matters game labhttp://becauseplaymatters.com

http://becauseplaymatters.com @snicholson

Overview

• Meaningful Gamification• Concepts of Play• Participatory Museum• Strategies for Meaningful Gamification

http://becauseplaymatters.com @snicholson

Gamification

• “The use of game design elements in non-game contexts” (Deterding et al, 2011, p. 1)

• Most common game design elements = scoring systems

http://becauseplaymatters.com @snicholson

BLAP Gamification

• Badges• Levels & Leaderboards• Achievements• Points

http://becauseplaymatters.com @snicholson

The Secret of External Rewards

• “Once you start giving someone a reward, you have to keep her in that reward loop forever.”– Zichermann & Cunningham, Gamification by

Design.

• Fine for skill building or short-term events• Problematic for long-term behavioral change

http://becauseplaymatters.com @snicholson

Meaningful Gamification Theoretical Framework

• Self-Determination Theory / Organismic Integration Theory

• Situational Relevance• Universal Design for Learning• Player-Created Content• User-Centered Design

• http://becauseplaymatters.com

http://becauseplaymatters.com @snicholsonCC Canadian Coast Guard on Flickr

http://becauseplaymatters.com @snicholson

Meaningful Gamification

• The use of user-centered game design elements in non-game contexts– Instead of organization-centered

• Use rewards sparingly if at all

• Focus on helping user find meaning in non-game context through game elements

• Allow user to set goals and create their own experience

http://becauseplaymatters.com @snicholson

Solving for Play

• Game = Play + Goals + Structure

• Game – Play = Goals + Structure= BLAP Gamification

• Play = Game – (Goals + Structure)Think about the PLAY and PLAYer

http://becauseplaymatters.com @snicholson

What is Play?

• Features instead of definition• Common features–Voluntary –Exploration / Improvisation –Constraints

• Catalyst for learning

http://becauseplaymatters.com @snicholson

Stages of Play (Eberle)

• Anticipation• Surprise• Pleasure• Understanding• Strength• Poise

• Cycle -> Transformative

http://becauseplaymatters.com @snicholson

Transformation

Jesse Schell:Serious Games

“Transformative Games”

http://becauseplaymatters.com @snicholson

Transformative

• Transformative Gamification – The use of transformative game design elements in

non-game contexts

• Transformative Play

• “Transformative Learning”

http://becauseplaymatters.com @snicholson

Transformative Learning (Mezirow)

• Breaking Boundary Structures

–Disorienting experience–Recognition of others–Create a plan–Acquire new skills / knowledge–Raise self-confidence

http://becauseplaymatters.com @snicholson

Ludic Learning Spaces (Kolb & Kolb)

• "free and safe space that provides the opportunity for individuals to play with their potentials and ultimately commit themselves to learn, develop, and grow" (2010, 27)• Play + Constraints

http://becauseplaymatters.com @snicholson

Participatory Museums

http://becauseplaymatters.com @snicholson

Adult Play Concepts from Participatory Museums

• Roleplay• Experimentation• Collaboration– Synchronous vs. Asynchronous

• Personalized experience– Public vs. Private choices

• Optional

http://becauseplaymatters.com @snicholson

Challenges from Science Museum Design

• Balance open play with directions

• Immediate apprehendability

• Connection of abstractions to real world

• Play spaces to engage instead of exhibits to observe

http://becauseplaymatters.com @snicholson

Strategies for Meaningful Gamification

• Focus on information-based play elements–Optional (JP Dyson)– Improvisation/Exploration within

constraints–Play vs. Games– Example: Removing rewards from summer

reading programs

http://becauseplaymatters.com @snicholson

Strategies for Meaningful Gamification

• Create transformative opportunities through participatory activities– Engagement on both intellectual and emotional

level– Facilitate play activities and reflection– Roleplay activities with consequences – Create and share content, goals with others– Example: Nike +, SCVNGR

http://becauseplaymatters.com @snicholson

Strategies for Meaningful Gamification

• Thinking in three dimensions (Eberle)– How would the gamification system work in the

physical space?– Creating active play instead of passive observation– Using real-life metaphors– Creating rings of activities instead of lists– Create spaces for social engagement– Example: Online classroom

http://becauseplaymatters.com @snicholson

Summary

• Facilitate user making meaningful connections

• Focus on engaging play and games instead of rewards and points

• Reflection and sharing is as important as doing

• Create spaces for voluntary exploration

http://becauseplaymatters.com @snicholson

For More Information

Because Play Matters game lab

http://becauseplaymatters.com