Player Experience vs User Experience (Gamification And Bloom’s Taxonomy Tips)

Discover the Surprising Differences Between Player Experience and User Experience in Gamification with Bloom’s Taxonomy Tips.

Step	Action	Novel Insight	Risk Factors
1	Define learning objectives	Learning objectives are specific, measurable, and achievable goals that learners should be able to accomplish after completing a learning activity.	Risk of setting unrealistic or irrelevant learning objectives.
2	Identify engagement factors	Engagement factors are the elements that make a learning activity interesting, enjoyable, and motivating for learners.	Risk of overloading the activity with too many engagement factors, which can distract learners from the learning objectives.
3	Determine motivation drivers	Motivation drivers are the reasons why learners engage in a learning activity. They can be intrinsic (e.g., personal interest, curiosity) or extrinsic (e.g., rewards, recognition).	Risk of relying too much on extrinsic motivation, which can lead to a lack of long-term engagement and retention.
4	Choose game mechanics	Game mechanics are the rules, systems, and structures that make a game challenging, rewarding, and fun. They can be used to enhance the learning experience by providing feedback, creating a sense of progression, and promoting skill development.	Risk of using game mechanics that are too complex or irrelevant to the learning objectives, which can confuse or frustrate learners.
5	Design feedback loops	Feedback loops are the mechanisms that provide learners with information about their progress, performance, and achievements. They can be used to reinforce positive behaviors, correct mistakes, and encourage reflection.	Risk of providing feedback that is too generic or irrelevant to the learning objectives, which can demotivate learners.
6	Implement progression systems	Progression systems are the structures that guide learners through a learning activity by providing clear goals, challenges, and rewards. They can be used to create a sense of achievement, mastery, and autonomy.	Risk of using progression systems that are too rigid or linear, which can limit learners’ creativity and exploration.
7	Foster skill development	Skill development is the process of acquiring and improving the knowledge, abilities, and attitudes that are necessary to perform a task or solve a problem. It can be facilitated by providing learners with opportunities to practice, experiment, and apply what they have learned.	Risk of neglecting the importance of skill development, which can result in superficial or ineffective learning outcomes.

Gamification and Bloom’s Taxonomy can be used to enhance the learning experience by focusing on the player experience (PX) and user experience (UX). PX refers to the emotional and cognitive responses that players have while engaging in a game, while UX refers to the overall experience that users have while interacting with a product or service. By combining the principles of gamification and Bloom’s Taxonomy, instructional designers can create learning activities that are engaging, challenging, and effective.

One novel insight is that gamification and Bloom’s Taxonomy can be used to address different levels of learning objectives, from lower-order thinking skills (e.g., remembering, understanding) to higher-order thinking skills (e.g., applying, analyzing, evaluating, creating). For example, game mechanics such as quizzes, puzzles, and simulations can be used to reinforce lower-order thinking skills, while feedback loops, progression systems, and skill development can be used to promote higher-order thinking skills.

Another novel insight is that gamification and Bloom’s Taxonomy can be used to personalize the learning experience by adapting the learning activities to the learners’ needs, preferences, and abilities. For example, game mechanics such as adaptive difficulty, branching scenarios, and choice–based narratives can be used to provide learners with customized challenges and feedback.

However, there are also some risk factors to consider when using gamification and Bloom’s Taxonomy. One risk is the potential for overloading the learning activity with too many game elements, which can distract learners from the learning objectives. Another risk is the potential for relying too much on extrinsic motivation, which can lead to a lack of long-term engagement and retention. To mitigate these risks, instructional designers should carefully balance the engagement factors, motivation drivers, game mechanics, feedback loops, progression systems, and skill development with the learning objectives and the learners’ needs.

Contents

1. How Gamification Enhances Learning Objectives and Engagement Factors
2. Understanding Motivation Drivers and Feedback Loops for Improved Player Experience
3. Common Mistakes And Misconceptions

How Gamification Enhances Learning Objectives and Engagement Factors

Step	Action	Novel Insight	Risk Factors
1	Identify learning objectives	Gamification should align with the learning objectives to enhance engagement	Not aligning gamification with learning objectives can lead to confusion and disengagement
2	Choose engagement factors	Engagement factors such as motivation techniques, game mechanics, feedback loops, progress tracking, rewards system, challenge design, personalization strategies, social interaction features, narrative storytelling elements, competition dynamics, leaderboards, and rankings should be chosen based on the target audience and learning objectives	Choosing the wrong engagement factors can lead to disengagement and frustration
3	Design gamified assessments	Gamified assessments can enhance learning objectives by providing immediate feedback and increasing motivation	Poorly designed gamified assessments can lead to confusion and frustration
4	Incorporate skill development opportunities	Skill development opportunities can enhance learning objectives by providing opportunities for practice and mastery	Lack of skill development opportunities can lead to disengagement and lack of progress
5	Test and iterate	Testing and iterating the gamification design can lead to continuous improvement and increased engagement	Lack of testing and iteration can lead to a stagnant and ineffective gamification design

Gamification can enhance learning objectives and engagement factors by aligning with the learning objectives, choosing appropriate engagement factors, designing gamified assessments, incorporating skill development opportunities, and testing and iterating the design. It is important to choose the right engagement factors based on the target audience and learning objectives to avoid disengagement and frustration. Gamified assessments can provide immediate feedback and increase motivation, while skill development opportunities can provide opportunities for practice and mastery. Testing and iterating the gamification design can lead to continuous improvement and increased engagement. However, not aligning gamification with learning objectives, choosing the wrong engagement factors, poorly designing gamified assessments, lack of skill development opportunities, and lack of testing and iteration can all lead to disengagement and ineffective gamification design.

Understanding Motivation Drivers and Feedback Loops for Improved Player Experience

Step	Action	Novel Insight	Risk Factors
1	Identify motivation drivers	Intrinsic motivation is driven by internal factors such as personal satisfaction, while extrinsic motivation is driven by external factors such as rewards. Understanding which type of motivation drives players can help tailor game mechanics to their preferences.	Assuming all players are motivated by the same factors can lead to ineffective game design.
2	Implement feedback loops	Feedback loops provide players with information on their progress and performance, which can increase engagement and motivation. Progression tracking and reward systems are common feedback loop mechanisms.	Poorly designed feedback loops can lead to frustration and disengagement.
3	Utilize behavioral psychology principles	Principles such as goal setting, personalization, and social interaction can enhance player experience. Goal setting strategies can provide players with a sense of purpose, while personalization techniques can make the game feel more tailored to their preferences. Social interaction features can increase engagement and retention.	Overuse of behavioral psychology principles can make the game feel manipulative and insincere.
4	Design challenges appropriately	Challenge design should be balanced to provide players with a sense of accomplishment without being too difficult or too easy. This can increase motivation and engagement.	Poorly designed challenges can lead to frustration and disengagement.
5	Analyze user feedback	User feedback can provide valuable insights into what players enjoy and what they find frustrating. This information can be used to improve game mechanics and enhance player experience.	Ignoring user feedback can lead to missed opportunities for improvement.
6	Continuously balance gameplay	Balancing gameplay is an ongoing process that involves adjusting game mechanics to ensure that the game remains engaging and challenging. This can increase player retention.	Poorly balanced gameplay can lead to boredom or frustration.

Overall, understanding motivation drivers and implementing effective feedback loops are crucial for improving player experience. Utilizing behavioral psychology principles, designing appropriate challenges, analyzing user feedback, and continuously balancing gameplay can also enhance player engagement and retention. However, it is important to avoid assuming all players are motivated by the same factors and to avoid overusing behavioral psychology principles. Additionally, poorly designed feedback loops and challenges can lead to frustration and disengagement, while ignoring user feedback can lead to missed opportunities for improvement.

Common Mistakes And Misconceptions

Mistake/Misconception	Correct Viewpoint
Player experience and user experience are the same thing.	While both terms may be used interchangeably, player experience refers specifically to the experiences of players in a game or gamified system, while user experience encompasses all aspects of a user’s interaction with a product or service. It is important to differentiate between the two when designing and evaluating gamification strategies.
Gamification only involves adding points, badges, and leaderboards to an existing system.	Gamification is much more than just adding superficial rewards to a system. Effective gamification involves understanding the motivations and desires of users/players and using game design elements such as feedback loops, clear goals, meaningful choices, and social connections to create engaging experiences that drive behavior change. Points, badges, and leaderboards can be effective tools when used appropriately but should not be relied on as the sole means of motivating users/players.
Bloom’s Taxonomy is only relevant for educational contexts.	While Bloom’s Taxonomy was originally developed for use in education settings it has since been adapted for use in other fields including game design/gamification. Understanding how different levels of cognitive processing (remembering information vs creating something new) can inform game mechanics can help designers create more engaging experiences that challenge players/users at appropriate levels while still being accessible enough to keep them engaged.
The goal of gamification is solely about making things fun.	While enjoyment is certainly an important aspect of successful gamification efforts it should not be viewed as the sole goal or even necessarily the most important one depending on context/goals/etc.. Effective gamification should also aim to drive specific behaviors/actions by providing incentives/motivations aligned with those desired outcomes (e.g., increasing engagement with a website/app). Additionally,gamifying systems without considering ethical implications could lead to unintended consequences such as addiction or exploitation which would ultimately harm the user/player experience.
Gamification is a one-size-fits-all solution.	There is no single gamification strategy that will work for every situation or audience. Effective gamification requires careful consideration of the specific context, goals, and target audience to create experiences that are engaging and motivating for those users/players. Additionally, it’s important to continually evaluate and adjust gamification strategies based on feedback from users/players to ensure they remain effective over time.