Microsoft learn
Microsoft’s Azure team recognized the need to reimagine their learning platform to meet the demands of today’s users. They reached out to The Octalysis Group to help create a high engagement empowered by behavioral science.
Azure has around 5 million documents that users can interact with. But the process of interacting with this learning depository was a linear and rather dull experience. The challenge lay in crafting a learning experience that would captivate and motivate users to keep learning about Azure services and best practices.
The objective was clear: develop a gamified learning ecosystem that transcended conventional gamification elements, making the process engaging, rewarding, and adaptable. Empowering the community as drivers for learning would also mean less cost for first line suppprt services.
Results
The results of this transformative endeavor were remarkable.
Microsoft Azure’s fully gamified learning platform redefined the learning experience, offering compelling journeys for users. It deepened the learning achieved and relieved pressure on first line support functions. Other outcomes included:
- High Learning Completion Rates: Users experienced high levels of gratification after each knowledge check, enhancing their motivation to progress.
- High Educational Journey Progress: A user-friendly interface enabled users to track their learning journey, set personal goals, and monitor their progress effortlessly.
- High Performers as Community Leaders: High-achieving users received recognition and rewards, fostering a sense of accomplishment and allowing them to play a leading role in the Azure/Learn communities.
- Cross-Platform Stats: The system provided a comprehensive overview of user achievements across platforms, adding a layer of competitiveness.
Transforming Learning
Microsoft Learn transformed traditional learning methods into immersive, gamified experiences that captivated users, empowered them to master complex technologies, and elevated their skillsets.
DESIGN PROCESS
The Octalysis Group’s approach to understanding learners as Player Types and customizing the gamification experience on the basis of a scientifically backed framework like Octalysis, was instrumental in creating a highly engaging and motivational learning platform.
This design overhaul not only embedded Octalysis engagement design but also involved deep inter-departmental collaboration, creating a cohesive ecosystem consolidating Microsoft’s diverse learning services and products.
To begin, The Octalysis Group conducted a thorough analysis of the diverse user base within Microsoft’s Azure ecosystem.
With a comprehensive understanding of these player types, Octalysis strategically balanced extrinsic and intrinsic design instances to cater to each group effectively.
For instance, one set of players were highly motivated by competition and accomplishments, which derived the entire system of experience points and badges.
Another group sought social interactions and collaboration, a crucial intrinsic element that was addressed with the implementation of teams, communities and learning partners.
The gamification design of the learning platform was meticulously crafted to accommodate the diverse needs and preferences of these player types.
By incorporating elements like visually rewarding win-states, interactive UI for progress tracking, and ways to identify and reward high-performing users, Octalysis ensured that no single player type dominated the experience.
This equilibrium encouraged engagement across the board.
In the realm of gamified learning experiences, achieving a delicate balance between the XP (Experience Points) economy and the difficulty level of achievements is paramount.
The XP economy forms the backbone of any gamified system. It serves as a measure of progress and accomplishment for users.
In the context of learning, XP represents the mastery of new skills and knowledge.
Octalysis delved deep into comprehending how XP could be earned within Microsoft’s Azure ecosystem. This included identifying key milestones, tasks, and learning objectives that warranted XP rewards.
Achievement difficulty also plays a crucial role in user engagement.
Achievements should be challenging enough to be meaningful but not so daunting that they deter learners.
Octalysis carefully evaluated the difficulty levels of different achievements, taking into account the diverse user base and their varying skill levels and motivations.
The brilliance of this balance between achievements and XP (Experience Points) lay in its ability to provide users with a continuous sense of accomplishment.
XP
Continuous engagement and skill progression
ACHIEVEMENTS
Meaningful milestones and challenges
SOCIAL
Collaboration and camaraderie