Corporate Training and Learning is being taken seriously more than ever now and technology-based learning solutions are preferred by all leading organizations.
E-Learning developers are always on a look-out to find ways and means to excite and engage learners into a training activity. In a classroom scenario, there are many ways of engagement. But with the widespread adoption of technology-enabled learning, there is a strong need to find ways of engaged e-learning as well.
Game based learning is now emerging as the new way of experiential learning – even for adults. There are many benefits of game-based learning:
- Games used to be created keeping the younger audiences in mind – who were more aligned to newer technologies and hence, open to explore more. In the early days of technology-based learning, many learning leaders were not sure that game-based learning will fit into their audience profiles – that include mid-level or high level executives. There is now proof that game-based learning can be designed for older audiences also. If a game has enough challenges and is able to provide through worth of learning – learners of any age can enjoy and learn from it.
- Many games can be built for serious learning as well. For instances, quizzes on a myriad of subjects can be built – where the learner can be challenged on different issues. In addition to sparking interest and creating a sense of competition, they hone the skills of assimilation and recall. Serious games can also be built with a small learning nugget that provides information or knowledge prior to the beginning of the game. This helps the learner get better prepared for the game as well as utilize the learning nugget to acquire knowledge – utilizing both mediums equally.
- Though building a game takes some amount of logical thought and time, games can be built within tight budgets as well. Simple interactivities built with development tools like Flash, to engage the learner. Many free tools are also available on the internet that can help create simple games of learning like word-building, cross words and so on. Utilizing these e-learning services companies can create games for corporate learning. A series of simple games can be created over time to provide sustained learning.
- Games can engage even the most reluctant learners and hence a way to increase the impact of learning. Learners who are withdrawn in an actual classroom might open up in a competitive scenario like a game. Games provide another instant learning benefit – as the learner engages with the game and learns from the experience. Assimilation is fast and knowledge gained can be utilized immediately.
Thus including game-based learning into corporate learning strategy is a good proposition if you want your learners to be more engaged in the learning process. It is not just a way for learners to have fun, but game-based learning helps the learners assimilate faster and retain more.
