While badges are a good start, their value can diminish if they are not tied to real skills.

Meaningful rewards should represent genuine mastery of a concept or skill.

Consider rewards that unlock new, challenging content or special 'expert' levels.

Allow students to 'cash in' points for real-world privileges, like extra free time or choosing the next activity.

Incorporate rewards that allow for greater creative expression, like customizing an avatar or virtual space.

Offer collaborative rewards where the entire class works towards a goal and is rewarded together.

Link digital rewards to physical ones, like a certificate of achievement or a 3D-printed model.

Provide rewards that give students a choice in their own learning path.

The best rewards are those that reinforce the intrinsic value of learning, not just the extrinsic prize.

Moving beyond simple badges to more thoughtful rewards can dramatically increase long-term motivation.