Caution: Repetition Reduces Interest!

You know the saying – ‘Practice makes perfect’. That means that your learners need to repeat the same e-learning module multiple times, to keep the information top of mind and fresh. 

The downside is that your learners have to go through the same information over and over again, which is boring. Game-based learning elements are included in order to reduce the tedium of the first run-through. However, the risk is that after the initial novelty wears off, repeatedly playing through the same game or repeatedly engaging with the same gamification elements can actually cause disengagement.

Solve the problem by using gamification elements with purpose, engaging the learner through multiple repetitions by:

1. Boosting motivation
2. Providing clear feedback
3. Adding twists to the gameplay

Boosting motivation

The big problem with repetition is the lack of motivation. In our experience, learners believe that they’ve already learned everything that they need from a single run-through of the learning experience. So the motivation to repeat the module is low.

How do you increase motivation during repetition? Make a clear pathway through repetitions to success. Present the learner’s progression through the repetitions in a way that shows them their success and how far they have moved towards their objective. A reminder of how close they are to the end goal can push learners when their motivation flags.

Providing clear feedback

When you’re trying to boost the motivation of your learners, you need to provide them with regular, clear, and frequent feedback. Your e-learning system needs to share actionable inputs at the end of each repetition cycle. That way, they can track their own progress as well as in comparison to their peers.

Adding twists to the gameplay

If you’re using a full game-based learning approach, include a twist to the gameplay every time the user repeats the game module. That way, despite the repetition, there’s no question of boredom. After all, they don’t play precisely the same game every time! Similarly, you can include twists in the learning content as well.

This doesn’t just reduce boredom – it also increases engagement and thus improves all outcomes.

Practice is important for certain kinds of learning, especially when you’re trying to build muscle memory. To keep your learners engaged, avoid repetition unless it’s absolutely necessary, and minimize exact repetition. Speak to our experts about how to build gamification, feedback, and motivation into your e-learning activities.