Gamified EdTech
Xccelerate is a leading tech education platform, in Q4 of 2023, we sought to increase engagement and retention in our tech bootcamps through gamification. As Chief Experience Officer, I orchestrated a cross-functional initiative that brought together UX/UI designers, developers, and senior management to implement this strategy as a core part of our Unique Value Proposition.
Project details
Client
Xccelerate
Project
Gamified EdTech
Year
2023
Services
UX/UI Design Service Design Branding
Credits
Steve Safarowic - COO
Bell Chan - Senior UX/UI Designer
Jason Magpantay - Senior Developer
John Paul Asuncion - Software Developer
Category
UX/UI Design, Service Design
Problem Statement
Xccelerate faced challenges in maintaining student motivation and completion rates in their tech bootcamps. Traditional learning methods were not sufficiently engaging for the modern learner, leading to decreased participation and potential dropouts.
My Contribution
As Chief Experience Officer, I led the design and implementation of a gamified learning experience. This involved:
Conceptualising the gamification strategy
Overseeing the UX/UI design of gamified elements
Collaborating with developers to integrate gamification features
Analysing user data to refine the gamified experience
Solution and Impact
We implemented a comprehensive gamification system that included:
Progress tracking with visual representations
Achievement badges for completing modules and projects
Leaderboards to foster healthy competition
Personalised learning paths based on user performance
The impact was significant:
30% increase in course completion rates
25% improvement in student engagement metrics
Positive feedback from 85% of students on the new learning experience
Key Personal Challenges and Learnings
Balancing fun and education: Ensuring gamification enhanced rather than distracted from learning
Data-driven design: Learning to iterate based on user analytics and feedback
Cross-functional collaboration: Improving communication between design, development, and education teams
The Why? - Context
In the competitive EdTech landscape, Xccelerate needed to differentiate itself and provide a more engaging learning experience. Gamification presented an opportunity to make tech education more interactive and rewarding.
Hypothesis
We hypothesised that implementing gamification elements would increase user engagement, motivation, and ultimately, course completion rates.
Research Methodologies and Results
We utilised the Octalysis Framework to guide our gamification strategy. This comprehensive framework helped us target core drives of human motivation:
Meaning
Accomplishment
Empowerment
Ownership
Social Influence
Scarcity
Unpredictability
Avoidance
Our research involved:
User surveys and interviews
A/B testing of gamified elements
Analysis of user behaviour data
Key Insights and Findings
Students responded positively to visual progress indicators
Social elements like leaderboards increased motivation for some, but not all users
Personalised learning paths significantly improved engagement
Immediate feedback through gamification elements enhanced the learning process
User Journey Touchpoints
Browse landing page: Introduced gamification concept
Career-changing quiz: Gamified assessment of skills and interests
View potential career path: Visual roadmap with unlockable milestones
Explore Career Path page: Interactive, game-like interface showcasing learning journey
Sign up: Personalised onboarding experience
Create profile: Gamified profile completion with rewards
Key Personal Learnings & Next Steps
Importance of user-centered design: Tailoring gamification to user preferences and learning styles
Continuous iteration: The need for ongoing refinement based on user feedback and data
Balancing engagement and educational value: Ensuring gamification supports rather than overshadows learning objectives
Next steps include:
Expanding gamification to more courses
Implementing an AI-driven recommendation system for personalised learning paths
Exploring VR/AR integration for immersive learning experiences
This was only a Glimpse.
I would love to share the full version with you. Connect with me on Linkedin, email me at kalebjcardenasz@gmail.com, or send me a message below.
