October 2014

Author, scholar and speaker Karl Kapp Ed.D., CFPIM, CIRM, delivered an engaging session as a keynote for the 2014 National Registry Summit. The annual conference, hosted by NASBA, took place on September 17-19 at the Omni Hotel in Nashville and was themed, Looking to the Future.

Kapp’s presentation entitled, “Rules of Play: Using Games and Gamification to Drive Engagement,” suited the conference theme as he presented new research and examples of how the learning process is made significantly more effective through repetition, interactivity and play-like participation from learners.

“What percent of time do lectures involve problem solving or an attempt to solve information,” Kapp posed to the audience, sparking a range of responses. “The correct answer,” he followed, “is one percent.”

“As instructional designers, we know we should be doing interactive things,” Kapp said. “Distributed practice, storyboarding and gamification could be a lead.”

The conference’s 162 attendees, the majority of whom are providers of continuing professional education, were presented extensive research on the concepts and use of gamification in teaching.

The mind forms pathways with new concepts, Kapp explained. Repetition and gamification can help solidify those pathways and improve retention. “A really good way to learn is by teaching a little bit over time,” Kapp shared. “In fact, research says that 24 hours is the ideal timeframe for spaced learning. And, in the classroom, you really should have a new concept or a break every 8-10 minutes.”

Kapp shared an illustration of effective spaced retrieval where the risk of developing type 2 diabetes in over 500 Indian men was reduced 36% by sending them health reminders via text message twice per day.

According to Kapp, research also shows that people remember facts more accurately that have been presented in a story form, rather than in a bulleted list. “The human brain actually has a natural affinity for storytelling,” he shared. “It’s one of the oldest and most effective forms of communication.”

One fitness app, Zombies Run, taps into this principle by crafting a post-apocalyptic narrative around users’ running regimen. “It’s exciting because you wake up and think, I wonder what happens to runner #5,” Kapp said. “So even if you don’t feel like running, you want to go and find out. The incorporation of a story provides the motivation to continue forward.”

Kapp encouraged educators to start with action, and emphasized the importance of making lessons hands-on from the beginning. He also shared that emotion - even frustrations - brings a degree of engagement. “The idea is that you want to create training that is not too easy and not too hard.” Kapp said. “The problem is that sometimes we spoon-feed our learners.” The aim, he suggested, is to get learners into a state of flow, where they’re fully engaged and challenged.

Kapp holds a Doctorate of Education in Instructional Design from the University of Pittsburgh as well as certifications in Integrated Resource Management (CIRM) and Production and Inventory Management (CFPIM). He is a professor at Bloomsburg University’s Institute of Interactive Technologies and has written five books including, Learning in 3D and Gadgets, Games and Gizmos for Learning. His latest book is called, The Gamification of Learning and Instruction.

“A game lets us fail because we’ll have more than one life, said Kapp. “In games, failing is acceptable. But in learning, we never allow failure. Though failure is part of learning.”

Jennifer Harlan, Global Director of Training Solutions at Column5 Consulting, said that prior to hearing Kapp’s presentation, she scoffed the idea of gamification. “Initially, I knew nothing about gamification,” said Harlan. “And then I was just completely blown away. He was incredibly engaging and I could really see the benefit of where I could use gamification in some of our courses.”

Visit karlkapp.com, or click here to learn more on Kapp’s insights on gamification.

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