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

Xccelerate Website ↗

Gamied EdTech Cover

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.

Xccelerate Career Quiz
Xccelerate Career Quiz
Student Dashboard 1
Student Dashboard 1
Credentials & Certificates
Credentials & Certificates
Job Board Integration
Job Board Integration
Student Dashboard 1
Student Dashboard 1
Thinkific Course Completion
Thinkific Course Completion

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

  1. Browse landing page: Introduced gamification concept

  2. Career-changing quiz: Gamified assessment of skills and interests

  3. View potential career path: Visual roadmap with unlockable milestones

  4. Explore Career Path page: Interactive, game-like interface showcasing learning journey

  5. Sign up: Personalised onboarding experience

  6. 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

Skill Graph 1
Skill Graph 1
Skill Graph 2
Skill Graph 2
The Octalysis Framework
Course Tracker 01
Course Tracker 2
Dashboard Badge

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.

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Kaleb Cardenas

"Design creates culture, culture shapes values, values determine the future."

Origin

Guadalajara, Mx

Work by

Kaleb Cardenas © 2024

Kaleb Cardenas

"Design creates culture, culture shapes values, values determine the future."

Origin

Guadalajara, Mx

Kaleb Cardenas © 2024

Kaleb Cardenas

"Design creates culture, culture shapes values, values determine the future."

Origin

Guadalajara, Mx

Work by

Kaleb Cardenas © 2024