Gamification: PlayA Game, Save the World

Our belief:
At Vignettes Learning we use stories in eLearning; however, we make them interactive. The emphasis is getting learners involved in the story and not just telling the learners the story.
Synthesis:
Gamification is gaining ground in the nonprofit and social development sectors. Interactive elearning is an enticing modality that can draw the attention of people to global concerns and solicit support for noble causes.  In this blog, know the elements involved in developing effective gamification for nonprofit and social development. __________________________________________________________________________

Since I am writing about gamification, we might as well play a game and experience a few minutes of interactive elearning. I have a confession to make: my inner animal is a hippo. I found this out after playing an interactive game. Want to know what your inner animal is? Go to the World Wide Fund Website, Play the quiz entitled  “Find Your Inner Animal”.

Nonprofit organizations are indirectly using interactive elearning modalities not only for learning but also for marketing. They are able to connect with stakeholders by sending their message through gamification.

Casey Golden, CEO of Small Act, notes the significant gains that nonprofits are able to achieve through gamification:

"Gamers are already helping tackle real-world problems, just by playing games. 57,000 gamers have outperformed supercomputers in the task of folding proteins in new ways that could lead scientists to cures for Alzheimer's, cancer and more. And 19,000 players have helped improve food security, increase access to clean energy and end poverty in more than 130 countries with EVOKE, an online game created for the World Bank Institute that's resulted in real-world solutions for key problems.

Even if your cause doesn't require that level of interaction, here are some other ideas for games to think about:

• Trivia and quizzes to educate your audience about your cause
• Points and levels for volunteers and donors and offering incentives and fancy  titles/recognition for advancement                                                                  • Competitions with other nonprofits to engage your base                                 • Personality quizzes that help educate people about your cause                       • Games that put your audience in the role of one of your volunteers or caregivers, to help them understand your cause better"

Gamification Wiki is a good reference for gamification development. Read gamification guidelines by clicking this link.

Read my related blog
 
Saving the World Through Game Design

Reference
 
Casey Golden, Nonprofits & Gaming: Playing Your Way to More Funds, More Volunteers, and Solving the World's Problems



Ray Jimenez, PhD
Vignettes Learning
"Helping Learners Learn Their Way"