Enhance the LXP System using Gamification
In today’s world of digital learning, Learning Experience Platforms (LXP) are changing the way people pick up new skills and knowledge. One of the main reasons for their success is the use of gamification, which brings fun, game-like features into learning. With things like points, badges, and leaderboards, LXPs make learning more exciting and interactive, helping to keep learners motivated and engaged. This approach not only makes the learning experience more enjoyable but also encourages better participation and long-term success.
What are LXP Systems?
An LXP (Learning Experience Platform) is designed to offer personalized learning paths and materials to help users grow their skills. Companies use these platforms to support their employees in gaining new knowledge and abilities that boost productivity and performance. With a focus on delivering tailored learning experiences, an LXP makes it easier for individuals to upskill and apply what they learn in their daily work.
The problem we were facing
The challenge we faced was that users were losing interest in learning. Many either ignored the platform or felt overwhelmed by the idea of starting something new, even though they knew how beneficial it would be to gain a new skill. The platform seemed too difficult to engage with, making it hard for users to take that first step on their learning journey.
And of course, the client came back asking about a solution that helps employees engage more with the platform.
Understanding the client’s concerns
Once we understood the client’s concerns, we knew we had to come up with a quick solution. Time was of the essence, as the client wanted us to deliver a remedy as soon as possible. For them, having employees not use the platform meant wasting valuable resources — and nobody wants that! So, we rolled up our sleeves and got to work to find an effective solution fast.
What is next?
I collaborated with the development team and the product manager in several meetings to brainstorm a practical solution that fit within our tight timeline. Our goal was to find an approach that not only met the project requirements but was also straightforward for the developers to implement. By working closely together, we ensured that the solution was both feasible and efficient, keeping everyone on the same page and making the most of the time we had.
In our meetings, we focused on brainstorming ideas and evaluating their practicality. To streamline this process, we used a matrix diagram, which helped us visually assess each idea’s feasibility and impact. This tool allowed us to prioritize the most effective solutions, ensuring that we focused on the ideas that would bring the best results while fitting within our constraints. It made decision-making clearer and more organized, guiding us toward the right priorities.
As a designer, I proactively researched on Google to see how our competitors have addressed similar challenges. My goal was to understand the solutions they’ve implemented and gather insights to inspire our own approach.
Umm, to be honest, I didn’t have that much time to do neither deep research or talk to the employees.
Final decision
After our thoughtful discussions, we concluded that gamification would be the best approach for our project. One of the main reasons for this choice is that it can be implemented relatively quickly by the development team, allowing us to make progress without delays.
At this stage, we’re still working based on our initial assumptions, which means we’re exploring how this gamification strategy will resonate with our users. We’re excited about the potential benefits and eager to see how it evolves as we gather more feedback and insights along the way!
Admin dashboard
Before jumping directly to the design phase we decided to fix these things to speed up work:
- Enable/Disable the gamification.
- Enable/Disable whether points or badges.
- Enable/Disable which actions the user can take points on.
- Add, Edit, and Delete badges.
- Enable/Disable the Leaderboard.
End-user perspective
On the user profile page, users can easily view all the badges they’ve earned for their achievements and track their current ranking. This gives them a clear overview of their progress and accomplishments, allowing them to stay motivated and compare their ranking with others in the community. It’s a simple way for users to celebrate their milestones and see how far they’ve come in their learning journey.
Design Time
For the design, I quickly sketched out some ideas since I already had a clear understanding of the requirements. These sketches helped me visualize the solution and explore different design options before moving forward, I was able to quickly iterate and refine the concept to ensure it met the project's needs.
Admin side
User side
This section is part of the user profile, where users can easily track their achievements and progress. Here, they can view the badges they’ve earned while developing their skills and see their current ranking. It’s a great way to stay motivated, celebrate milestones, and see how they compare with other top learners on the platform.
Final thoughts
This challenge turned out to be more complex than we initially expected. We had to hold numerous meetings, especially with the backend developers, as they encountered several hurdles. One of the main difficulties was figuring out how to properly calculate and store the points within the system. These discussions were essential to ensure that we aligned the logic behind the points system with the overall platform’s functionality. It wasn’t just about solving technical issues.
Conclusion
I’ve come to realize that there will always be challenges where following a predefined process simply isn’t possible. In those moments, I’ve learned that adaptability is key. Sometimes, the situation demands flexibility, and instead of trying to force a specific process, we need to be open to new approaches. It’s in these moments that problem-solving skills, creativity, and teamwork come into play.
