Further tips for ideation
1: Think about the different styles of learning.
Gamification can provoke countless methods in which we can learn. There are various styles of learning you can consider. One idea to boost your inspiration is to consider your concept through a sensory experience. Does your game leverage visual learning, using images and spatial recognition? Is it utilizing aural elements, using sound or music? Or is it verbally-oriented, using writing and speech? Moreover, is it more logic-based, using mathematical reasoning and patterns? You could even combine different ways of learning to form a new one.
2: Think about the layout, such as the number of players and locations to play.
It is important to consider the number of players, as different effects can be achieved depending on how many people are involved when learning. Consider if it is social learning together, or solitary to play alone. Is it to be played outside with multiple players? And if it is for someone alone at home, how can you maintain their motivation?
3: Think about who your users will be.
Think about who you are making this for. Is it for people who find it hard to work and study long hours through a screen? Is your game universally-usable? Can it provide a new source of motivation for someone who has trouble focusing?
4: Think about game elements and how to play.
Incorporating game elements into learning can help shift our mindset and perspectives from the ordinary, as well as become a tool and experience for easier participation, building better engagement. Think about how you feel when you play your favorite game. What aspects do you like about the game? What makes you want to play it again? Try combining this with the way you like to learn.
5. Think about what you want your user to learn and why.
What do you want your user to learn? Consider starting by thinking about what you find hard when learning or studying outside of a traditional classroom. The challenge could be around difficulty studying mathematics due to a lack of concentration. Perhaps the user finds it difficult to share things and spend time with others. Can you design a game that subtly teaches and encourages the user how to share? Try to put yourself into someone else’s shoes to better understand your user.
