Using Gamification Strategies to Create Effective Experiential Exercises

Abstract

Despite the many theories supporting experiential learning, there is little guidance on how to design effective experiential exercises. To address this gap, we adapt insights from gamification research to devise a step-by-step process that management instructors may use to design effective experiential exercises for use in face-to-face and virtual synchronous classrooms. We describe this process in detail, specifying the questions instructors must ask at each step and outlining common gamification strategies that may be used when designing the experiential exercise. We provide tips on how to ensure the newly-created experiential exercise works well in virtual settings and with existing simulations. Finally, we share two experiential exercises created using this process.