The use of games and game structures in educational contexts is growing in popularity. An increasing number of technologies have been developed to meet the needs of designing a course as a game. This article discussed the design process in game-based learning and reviewed the research on structuring a course with a focus on feedback, goals, and interaction. In addition, we presented the best practices and technologies to support the integration of badges and leaderboards into game-based learning. With the intentional and systematic design of game-based learning, instructors and designers will increase the impact of game attributes and elements on student achievement and motivation. Further investigation of game-based learning attributes and elements is needed to provide detailed knowledge on the compatibility with current technological tools.
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