About this course: Gamification is the application of game elements and digital game design techniques to non-game problems, such as business and social impact challenges. This course will teach you the mechanisms of gamification, why it has such tremendous potential, and how to use it effectively. For additional information on the concepts described in the course, you can purchase Professor Werbach's book For the Win: How Game Thinking Can Revolutionize Your Business in print or ebook format in several languages.
Created by: University of Pennsylvania
Taught by: Kevin Werbach, Associate Professor
Legal Studies & Business Ethics
| Commitment | 4-8 hours/week |
| Language | English, Subtitles: Ukrainian, Chinese (Simplified), Portuguese (Brazilian), Vietnamese, Russian, Turkish, Spanish, Kazakh |
| How To Pass | Pass all graded assignments to complete the course. |
Syllabus
WEEK 1
Gamification and Games
Gamification is a new field, but games are ancient. In this first module, we'll look at what gamification is, why organizations are applying it, and where it comes from. While there isn’t universal agreement on the scope of the field, a set of concepts are clearly representative of gamification. The second lesson explains why the concept of games is deeper than most people realize, and how game design serves as a foundation for gamification.
12 videos, 1 reading
- Reading: About the Course
- Video: 1.1 Introduction
- Video: 1.2 Course Overview
- Video: 1.3 Definition of Gamification
- Video: 1.4 Why Study Gamification
- Video: 1.5 History of Gamification
- Video: 1.6 Examples and Categories
- Video: 2.1 Gamification in Context
- Video: 2.2 What is a Game
- Video: 2.3 Games and Play
- Video: 2.4 Video Games
- Video: 2.5 Just a Game?
- Video: 2.6 Ethan Mollick Interview with Prof. Werbach
Graded: Homework Quiz #1
WEEK 2
Deconstructing Games
What exactly does it mean to apply game design principles in non-game contexts? In this module, we'll discuss how game designers approach their craft, and how to see any situation through the lens of game design. Then we'll examine the raw materials of games and gamification, known as game elements. We'll earn how to break down a game into its constituent parts and apply them to create gamified systems.
11 videos
- Video: 3.1 Why Gamify
- Video: 3.2 Think like a game designer
- Video: 3.3 Design Rules
- Video: 3.4 Tapping the Emotions
- Video: 3.5 Anatomy of Fun
- Video: 3.6 Finding the Fun
- Video: 4.1 Breaking Games Down
- Video: 4.2 The Pyramid of Elements
- Video: 4.3 The PBL Triad
- Video: 4.4 Limitations of Elements
- Video: 4.5 Bing Gordon Interview
Graded: Written Assignment 1
Graded: Homework Quiz #2
WEEK 3
Motivation and Psychology
Gamification is a technique for motivation, so it ties very directly into psychology. This unit introduces the major psychological concepts relevant to gamification. The first lesson focuses on behavioral approaches and reward design; the second identifies the risks and alternatives to this approach.
10 videos
- Video: 5.1 Motivational Design
- Video: 5.2 Behaviorism
- Video: 5.3 Behaviorism in Gamification
- Video: 5.4 Reward Structures
- Video: 5.5 Reward Schedules
- Video: 6.1 Limits of Behaviorism
- Video: 6.2 Dangers of Behaviorism
- Video: 6.3 Intrinsic and Extrinsic Motivation
- Video: 6.4 How Rewards Can Demotivate
- Video: 6.5 Self Determination Theory
Graded: Homework Quiz #3
Graded: Written Assignment 2
WEEK 4
Design
Gamification done well is a form of design. This module describes the design process, and provides a six-step framework to apply to any gamification project. The second lesson identifies important considerations and options for developing creative, human-centered, thoughtful gamification solutions.
10 videos, 1 reading
- Video: 7.1 The Design Process
- Video: 7.2 Objectives and Behaviors
- Video: 7.3 Players
- Video: 7.4 Activity Loops
- Video: 7.5 Fun and Tools
- Reading: Gamification Design Framework
- Video: 8.1 Taking Stock
- Video: 8.2 Is Gamification Right for Me
- Video: 8.3 Design for Collective Good
- Video: 8.4 Designing for Happiness
- Video: 8.5 Amy Jo Kim Interview
Graded: Homework Quiz #4
WEEK 5
Applications
This module describes particular challenges and opportunities when applying gamification in two contexts: within an organization, and in social impact or behavior change environments.
11 videos, 1 reading
- Video: 9.1 Enterprise Applications
- Video: 9.2 Workplace Motivation
- Video: 9.3 The Game vs. The Job
- Video: 9.4 Playbor
- Video: 9.5 Daniel Debow Interview
- Video: 9.6 Ethan Mollick on Games at Work
- Video: 10.1 Gamification for Good
- Video: 10.2 Social Good Applications
- Video: 10.3 Social Impact Techniques
- Video: 10.4 Behavior Change
- Video: 10.5 Susan Hunt Stevens Interview
- Reading: Written Assignment 3 Sample Answers
Graded: Written Assignment 3
WEEK 6
Gamification in Perspective
There are many legitimate limitations, concerns, and dangers from gamification. Some of them can be avoided through thoughtful design, but others must be considered directly in any implementation. The final lesson details gamification-related techniques that go beyond those covered throughout the course, and concludes with a look toward the future.
11 videos
- Video: 11.1 Pointsification
- Video: 11.2 Exploitationware
- Video: 11.3 Gaming the Game
- Video: 11.4 Legal issues
- Video: 11.5 Regulatory issues
- Video: 12.1 Beyond the Basics
- Video: 12.2 Inducement Prizes
- Video: 12.3 Virtual Economies
- Video: 12.4 Collective Action
- Video: 12.5 The Future of Gamification -- part 1
- Video: 12.6 The Future of Gamification -- part 2
Graded: Final Exam
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