In any classroom, the right reward at the right moment can make a huge difference - encouraging children to keep going, even when they feel like giving up.
In gamification theory, this principle is captured in Core Drive 6: Scarcity and Impatience. It's the drive that makes us want what we can’t immediately have. Limited-time opportunities, exclusive rewards and unlockable items all trigger this motivational force.
At Sumdog, we use this drive intentionally to create anticipation, curiosity and excitement, helping pupils stay motivated and engaged in their learning.
Core Drive 6 is all about the power of wanting something that’s not easily or instantly available. In games, this might be a rare item, a special level, or a countdown timer on an event. It creates urgency, boosts engagement and keeps players coming back.
In education, this drive can support reward-based learning by giving pupils goals to work towards and building excitement around learning milestones. When used thoughtfully, it helps learners stay focused and motivated - particularly during longer tasks or when practising key skills over time.
On Sumdog, we’ve incorporated elements of scarcity to help pupils stay engaged while reinforcing learning routines and positive behaviours.
These include:
🎁 Weekly prizes and goal trackers: Pupils work towards time-based goals or try to win a spot in the top rankings.
⌛ Limited-time games and activities: Featured during contests and events to build excitement.
🛍️ Store items to earn and collect: Pupils can use their hard-earned coins to buy avatar outfits or furniture for their house and garden — encouraging regular practice and rewarding effort with personalisation.
💰 End-of-week rewards: Extra coins for completing their weekly 20-minute learning goal.
Try it out 👇
Teachers can set a class competition on Sumdog to spark friendly rivalry and build excitement around learning. It helps create structure, encourages short-term goals, and boosts motivation across the whole class.
A P7 teacher in Falkirk has seen how the reward-focused elements of Sumdog can inspire learners to give their best effort:
“My pupils love seeing their names on the leaderboard and aiming for rewards. The competitive element motivates them, especially when they realise that accuracy improves their score.”
- P7 Teacher, Primary School in Falkirk, Scotland
Looking to incorporate reward-based learning into your classroom?
Here are a few ideas using Sumdog (and beyond):
Create a class competition and build excitement with a countdown or prize reveal.
Encourage pupils to complete their weekly 20-minute goal to unlock avatar rewards.
Use class leaderboards to build positive peer motivation.
Offer shoutouts or stickers for effort and improvement - not just high scores.
Reinforce learning routines with limited-time challenges to build anticipation.
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