Leaderboards or badges in two gamified forums: motivational and engagement differences

In a digital forums, the differences regarding the effectiveness of use leaderboards or badges separately and not in combination have not yet been compared. A sample of 42 subjects (20 women and 22 men) was used to compare both mechanics, in two different online forums from a specific course: Group With Badges (GWB) and Group With Leaderboards (GWL). A pedagogical strategy was proposed, with a gamified scenario covering the story of Heraclie. In the GWL the use of the forum was combined with viewing the classification table, and in the GWB the best expositions were awarded with badges. The results show that the GWL had greater introjected regulation and relationship than the GWB. Leaderboards generate a more competitive and social environment, whereas badges might be less likely to elicit internal pressure or social competition. In addition, badges encourage initial participation, while leaderboards promote greater engagement as the forum progresses.