Game-based learning is a cutting-edge and innovative approach to corporate training that has been proven to increase engagement and improve learning outcomes. The concept of game-based learning is based on the idea that people learn best through play, experimentation, and trial and error.
In today’s fast-paced and competitive business world, it’s crucial for employees to continuously improve their skills and stay up-to-date with the latest industry knowledge. The goal is to create a learning environment that is fun, engaging, and meaningful, while still helping employees to achieve specific learning objectives.
Here are 7 benefits of game-based learning in corporate training that make it a valuable tool for improving employee performance:
1. Boosting engagement
One of the most significant benefits of game-based learning is increased engagement levels among employees. Traditional training methods can often be boring and unmotivating, but game-based learning goes beyond that by offering learners the opportunity to fully engage with the material.
It goes beyond what Phillip Schlecty calls “strategic compliance” (high attention but low commitment) and into a place where employees have full buy-in. They get the opportunity to make decisions, pursue a goal, and check their own progress. This leads to a deeper level of engagement and helps them stay focused and motivated throughout the learning process. In turn, when employees are more engaged in this process, they are more likely to retain the information and put it into practice.
2. Increasing retention
Another key benefit of game-based learning is increased retention of information. This is because employees learn the information in a way that makes it stick in their minds better than through traditional methods. The games often become mental models that employees can go back to in order to make sense of what they have learned.
The debrief experience also connects an often emotional, memorable experience with the content in a way that leads to a deeper, more permanent understanding. This can lead to employees being more confident in their abilities and less likely to forget important information.
3. Promoting conceptual understanding
Immersive games can help learners make connections between concepts and ideas, leading to a more complete and holistic understanding of the material. Often, we teach content in silos, with clear objectives and direct instruction. However, with game-based learning, students discover the content in a way that is connective rather than linear, which makes it more accessible. This is particularly useful for complex or abstract concepts that are difficult to understand through traditional teaching methods.
Overall, game-based learning can lead to a better understanding of how the material fits into the larger picture and how it can be applied to real-world situations.
4. Bridging the abstract and the concrete
Game-based learning is fully immersive, allowing employees to maneuver within the game environment to make sense of the information. This is a great way to teach concepts and systems that might seem opaque or distant, in a way that is visual and experiential.
For example, it can be difficult for learners to understand concepts such as complex economic systems, but a game simulation can help bridge that gap and make the information more accessible and easier to grasp than through traditional teaching methods. In some cases, learners can take on specialized roles, such as characters in the game, and build empathy by taking on the role of those characters.
5. Increasing accessibility
With game-based learning, employees at all levels can participate, as it has a low barrier to entry. Too often, students are expected to have a lot of knowledge of specific content or a strong mastery of reading and writing, and this can make them struggle with traditional training methods.
Game-based learning is a way to level the playing field and help employees discover the content in a way that is accessible to them, everyone can participate and benefit from the training process. This helps to ensure that everyone has the opportunity to participate and learn, regardless of their current knowledge level. This can lead to increased participation, which can improve the overall effectiveness of the training.
6. Encouraging critical thinking
Game-based learning requires learners to make decisions that require analysis and synthesis, which helps to develop critical thinking skills. They can later use the simulation to answer critical thinking questions, reinforcing the concepts learned and building their problem-solving and decision-making abilities. This will lead to employees becoming more confident in their abilities, which is beneficial in real-world situations.
7. Leading to a love of learning
Finally, game-based learning can help lead to a love of learning among employees. Games are fun and engaging, and when employees participate in game-based learning they begin to fall in love with the subject and the content. They realize that it is intrinsically rewarding to delve deeper into their learning and this takes them one step closer to being lifelong learners.
In conclusion, game-based learning is a powerful tool for corporate training. It provides employees with the opportunity to learn in a fun way that is both meaningful and memorable. From boosting employee engagement to promoting critical thinking, game-based learning impacts numerous areas of business and benefits both the employee and the organization. By incorporating game-based learning into corporate training, organizations can increase employee motivation, improve retention of information, foster collaboration, and more.
As technology continues to advance, it’s likely that game-based learning will continue to play a significant role in corporate training programs. Therefore, it’s essential for organizations to stay ahead of the curve by embracing this innovative approach to training. By doing so, they can equip their employees with the necessary skills and knowledge to succeed in today’s ever-changing business landscape. Whether you are training employees on a specific subject or helping them to develop critical thinking skills, game-based learning is a great way to achieve your goals.