Gamification of training is not just a trend. Based on scientific principles of learning and motivation, it is a way to engage employees in learning everything from basic job skills to complex job functions.
Research on gamification of learning has been around for some time, and has validated the effectiveness of games to help learners feel more engaged and motivated in the learning process and to retain more knowledge as a result of learning through games.
Relying on design elements from video games such as challenges, player control, immediate feedback, social connection and storylines, serious games can be used as an efficient and effective tool to deliver training content in the workplace. According to eLearning developer Axonify’s CEO, Carol Leaman, games are attractive to users as learning tools because they appeal to learners’ natural desire for competition, achievement, status, self-expression, altruism, and closure.
Leaman also points out that gamification can offer companies a great way to boost employees’ basic job skills training and she provides examples of companies such as Pep Boys, Walmart and McDonald’s that have successfully implemented gamified learning into their basic skills training. Gamifying training also gives employers the opportunity to offer anytime, anywhere access to training for employees since many applications are available on mobile platforms and training can be accessed in snippets as short as 60 seconds to longer, more immersive experiences that can last as long as the learner needs to complete the learning process.
Interested in finding out what gamified learning looks like in the workplace? Check out some of the examples included in the eLearning Industry blog post, 5 Killer Examples of Gamified Learning.
They might inspire you to take the leap into gamified training for your workplace!
Resources:
Leaman, C. (2014). Boost Basic Job Skills Training. TD Magazine. Retrieved August 31, 2017 from https://www.td.org/Publications/Magazines/TD/TD-Archive/2014/08/Boost-Basic-Job-Skills-Training