Organizations are focusing on finding new ways to make training more engaging and enjoyable for learners while improving the impact of training on the organization. Emerging technologies have opened up a lot of new ways to make training more effective. Gamification is one of these, the benefits of which we will explore here.
4 Benefits Of Incorporating Gamification Into Workplace Training
Have you ever gone through a training program and found yourself very disengaged from it? Ever walked away thinking “there has to be a better way to train people than that?”. I bet you have. Why do you think this is? Is it that the training program was mundane or simply didn’t interest you? Or is it that the approach to the training was wrong resulting in you not connecting with it? This is something that many organizations have been trying hard to understand.
“Games? In the workplace? I don’t think so!” This is the way most organizations used to think. The mere thought of game-playing in the workplace was frowned upon. But games are such a big part of people’s personal lives now. Consider the Angry Birds phenomenon as just one example – it hit 1 billion downloads as far back as 2012!
Many organizations are now taking an “If you can’t beat them, join them” approach to employee training. They have realized that by adopting game elements into the design of their training programs, they are offering employees a much more engaging learning experience. Gamification has become particularly effective when used in online training or eLearning programs.
So what are the real benefits of gamification and why should any organization consider building it into their training programs?
1. It grabs and keeps the learners’ attention.
Even if training focuses on serious topics, gamification has the ability to make it seem much more interesting. This is why gamification has worked particularly well with compliance training and other forms of serious training. Using game elements and mechanics for training allows you to give learners something they can identify with AND make it a fun experience for them.
2. It makes it real.
Typical characteristics of game-based training include scenarios and challenges which compel learners to make choices that have different consequences and outcomes. This makes learning much more true to life. It puts the learners in real-world situations which often mirror what they will go through in their daily jobs.
3. It improves knowledge retention.
By making learning seem more like fun, the level of knowledge retention is increased. The learners participate more actively in the process. Creating a positive experience like this has a bigger impact on the learners’ memory. They are much more likely to remember what they are taught during training, though they may not even realize it.
4. It improves overall success of training.
Gamification, if designed correctly, can produce highly positive results in training. Many organizations are using it, but not all are measuring its performance properly. A 2013 Aberdeen Group research study confirmed that organizations with gamification in place improve engagement by 48% and improve revenue turnover by 36%. Statistics like this are clear proof that gamification, when done properly, has the potential to have a very positive impact on the success of corporate L&D initiatives.
Gamification may not suit everyone. The type of business, product or service, and particularly the needs of employees and the nature of the job they do, should have a bearing on the type of training chosen. But for those who use it, the benefits of gamification can be substantial.
If you’re thinking of developing a corporate training program for employees, keep gamification in your sights. Consider your employees – if you think gamification is something that could benefit them, chances are you’re right!
If you’d like to learn more about the benefits of gamification, it may benefit you to read 30 Facts about Gamification in eLearning.
This post was originally published on eLearning Industry blog, June 2015.
Want to Develop a Game-based Training Solution?
Interactive Services develops custom eLearning for global organizations. We have developed game-based training for clients in different industries who wish to leverage games to engage their employees and improve talent and performance in new and exciting ways.
Contact us if you would like to discuss gamification solutions for your organization.