Leaderboards, motivation and healthy competition

Studies on gamification show that leaderboards can boost effort for some students while demotivating others, particularly those who see themselves near the bottom. The difference often comes down to what is measured and who can see it.

RamIQ leaderboards are designed to reward growth and participation as well as top scores. Teachers choose whether a leaderboard is visible, whether students appear under nicknames, and whether it resets by unit so everyone has a fresh start. Leaderboards can also be turned off entirely for any class.

Team challenges offer another path. When groups pool their decisions toward a shared goal, competition becomes collaboration, and students who struggle individually can contribute to a team success. We see this as an early step toward the broader e-learning and cross-classroom events on our roadmap.