I think what would work is a solution that is part way between no adaptability of the instruction and 100% adaptability. Let’s start with looking at course objectives and pre-test the learners to see what they know and if they already know the content, have that skipped in the e-learning module. That will allow some level of adaptability, anything at this point is a little better than what we have now.

Thanks for the comment and for pointing out the difficulties with 100% adaptability and I love the idea of a “profile” that plugs into various LMS systems to customize the learning.

So the work of an economic analyst takes place primarily in someone’s head but they then must create a work product as a result of the analysis. That is a task that requires hands on activity…typing a report or filling out a form.

So, I think there are many, many activities that require accomplishing a task and that most training would be better served helping learners/employees learn to better accomplish those tasks, like conducting an analysis and reporting on the results.

And yes, ABSOLUTELY gamification is completely useless and inadequate in certain learning situations but so is lecturing, reading a document and listening to an instructor. One size does not fit all in learning, learners are different and, just as importantly, content is different. All content should not be taught in a game but neither should all content be taught by a lecture or by automated powerpoint slides with voice over and multiple choice questions. The problem in today’s learning environment is that far, far too much content is only provided via automated powerpoint with multiple choice questions and very little is engaging or interactive.

Gamification doesn’t have to equal fun. It does have to equal engagement. So it is possible to use game elements that cause a learner stress or confusion as part of the learning process and that’s not fun. So, careful use of gamification avoids the entitlement concept but, also, why can’t learning be fun. Have you ever watched children learn, young children before first grade. To them, the lover of learning and the thirst for knowledge is so high you can see the excitement on their face when they learn something new.

Then we send them to school and remove any and all fun from learning. We punish attempts at learning by giving bad grades, we tell them there is only ever one right answer and we show them that their learning is not as good as another persons via grades. Maybe we need to inject more fun into the learning process and less punishment and humiliation.

Again, I agree that reading, interaction with other people and self-discipline are not acquired just by playing games but they aren’t acquired just by lectures or memorization. It takes a toolkit of techniques to help a person learn not one method.

Thanks again for taking the time to comment and I think we are more in agreement than disagreement. Gamification is one method of conveying knowledge but not the only method and we as designers and instructors need to be aware of when gamification is not the solution and…when lectures, reading and worksheets are not the solution either.

Gamification is completely useless and inadequate in certain learning environments. Furthermore, preaching gamification as a replacement of traditional learning completely misses the mark when it comes to acquiring interpersonal, team work and communication skills, not to mention that encourages an attitude of entitlement (“I’m not learning it if it’s not fun”).

Reading, interaction with other people, and above all, self discipline, are not acquired by just playing games.

One day in the future a learner may have a ‘profile’ that can plug into the online learning, and then have the LMS present only the information and exercises relevant for them.

“ILT has the shelf life of milk” and “deform rather than inform” and, yes, not all rapid e-learning is bad e-learning but precious little. The more the field is educated about the science of instruction the more we’ll all benefit! Thanks for the wonderful comment.