What makes learning worth playing?
Implementing Game-Based E-Learning through Gamification: A Professional Learning Journey.
Can play create more meaningful learning experiences?
My research connected games design with professional learning practice. The focus was on how game-based e-learning and gamification could support participation, engagement and the application of knowledge.
Practical exploration included Blooket and Bodyswaps VR. The work connected learning theory, interventions and reflection, rather than treating technology as a solution in itself.
The research context
A professional learning journey grounded in education practice, with learner groups at Levels 1, 2 and 3. ADDIE helped connect analysis, intervention and evaluation.
The transferable question is broader: how do we create experiences that people want to engage with, and that help them do something useful afterwards?
Practice-based research · reflective inquiryADDIE, as a working method.
Start with the learner
Identify the learning need, context and barriers before choosing a tool. For my research, that meant considering participation and the experience of game-based activities.
Gamification
Add game elements to an activity that is not itself a game. Progress feedback and exploration achievements in this portfolio are examples.
Game-based learning
Use the game itself as the learning activity. In Brand Breach, recognition, feedback and resource choices form the experience.
Engagement is the beginning of the question.
My professional learning was to look beyond whether an activity was enjoyable: consider who participated, who needed support and what learners could apply afterwards.
The full dissertation evidence is not reproduced here. No controlled comparison, effect size or retention improvement is claimed on this page.
What changed in my practice
I now approach technology through smaller pilots, explicit learning needs and iterative reflection. The same habit shapes AI prototypes, staff coaching and immersive learning evaluation.
From research to working decisions.
Use a framework to make the reasoning visible. Ask why a mechanic belongs, how feedback supports the learner and how the experience could be improved.
Explore the Blooket caseBehind Brand Breach