Humanity
was forever changed when we learned to tame fire. Then again, when someone
invented the wheel. Next game electricity, which transformed how we perceived
energy and industry. Then the computer and internet changed the world, turning
this massive planet into a global village, where people from all corners could
communicate instantly and effectively.
Next
in-line to change the world and transform humanity, is Artificial Intelligence,
but we aren’t quite there yet. We are still unlocking the marvels of computers
and the internet, and one of these marvels is Gamification.
What
is Gamification?
The
concept of using games is quite simple and very old. Converting education,
learning, and ideas into games to make them more palatable and exciting is
familiar to everyone. Teachers have been doing it for generations with their
students. They turn specific ideas into games and competitions, and children,
while engaged in play, also learn something.
However,
in the recent years the concept of Gamification comes into the picture. The
gamification is using game dynamics and mechanics to make boring subjects bit
more fun. It’s not necessarily that a gamified project looks like a game. With
Gamification, you can pick and create specific game mechanics and leverage game
dynamics to make your educational/training resource significantly more
deliverable and entertaining for the participants/students. This makes it easier for them to learn. And
even if it’s not a full-fledged game, or it doesn't even resemble a game, the
elements of scoring, competition, problem-solving, etc. make Gamification an
extremely powerful tool.
There
are only so many ideas you can convey using game mechanics (or “Gamify”) while ensuring
that the Gamified learning experience itself holds its appeal and interest. Gamification
is especially useful if applied with complicated ideas or complex learning
topics. Relying on collaborative learning and competition, even the most boring
subjects can be turned into exciting exercises.
The
new Gamification, or what Gamification is right now, is on an entirely
different level. Computers and the internet have transformed so many other
aspects of life, and entrainment is no exception. That's where technology
usually shines the brightest. Computer games are infinitely more engaging,
detailed, stimulating, vibrant, and better at conveying information and ideas
than sports or games have ever been. And if you combine the power of the
internet to it, multiplayer gaming can help people collaborate in unprecedented
ways. There is camaraderie, competition, meaningful communication, all stemming
from the drive to achieve a common goal.
This
is what modern Gamification leverages. Computer games' power to draw and retain
the attention of an individual (or teams) can be turned into a very potent
learning experience. Complex ideas can be broken down into objectives, goals,
stories, and characters in ingenious ways. And the best part, there is no
limitation. The only limitation is your imagination, and maybe a lack of
technical proficiency. But you can overcome the latter quite easily, by
choosing the right platform and
team of professionals.
Gamifying
Professional and Corporate Training
One
of the most significant advantages of modern Gamification is that it's not
limited to students. It’s a powerful tool that corporations and businesses can
use to make their training much more fun, and ensure that participants actually
participate, listen, and learn.
Imagine
the yawns and grumbling that ensue in an office when a manager announces a
training session. The thought of listening to dry and complex ideas, and watching
tens (if not hundreds) of slides of PowerPoint presentations, puts most
employees to sleep. And that’s the mindset even
before the training starts. It's one reason why corporations have to push
other incentives to increase enthusiasm for participating in the training.
And
then imagine that same training as an exciting game that all employees have to
play on their phones. The same training points that would have looked boring on
a projector screen would be several times more attractive as a game mission or
level. Most employees won't even feel like they have been subjected to an
additional task in the form of training. Instead, they might take it as a mini
in-office retreat.
There
are several benefits
of Gamification over traditional training methods. One of the most
prominent ones being the retention of information. Since computer games are
visually appealing, stimulating, and engaging, people tend to retain significantly
more information presented to them through Gamified training than they would
have if delivered to them through conventional means. Gamers/employees manage
to keep most of the information provided to them in-game, but even if they
don't, it's many times more fun to replay a game level, than to re-read an
emailed presentation.
Gamification:
The Future of Training
Despite
being an old concept, Gamification of training is a relatively new trend, which
many old-school corporate heads still not think very highly of. The age-old
idea that work and fun don't mix is still prevalent even though scientific
studies have proven time and time again that productivity increases when people
are more relaxed, comfortable, and having fun. Also, gaming (for a reasonable
amount of time) is good for your brain and psychological development. It
enhances your senses, response time, problem-solving skills, and several other
soft (and hard) skills that improve employees' efficiency and productivity.
As
employers, businesses, and organizations start learning the benefits of
Gamifying their training, Gamification of training will become more
commonplace. And it wouldn’t be too presumptuous to say that Gamified training
might dominate the corporate learning and training landscape. One major reason
behind that would be the fact that multiplayer Gamified training lets remote
workers and people who are working from home join a training session as one.
And it not only mimics the constant workplace communication and team spirit,
but it also provides the same morale boost, especially when employees are
working and collaborating as teams in a game. It also gives rise to the same
spirit of competition that pushes employees to outperform their peers.
Conclusion
Gamification
of training isn’t a temporary trend or an isolated niche that will fade into obscurity
as time passes. It’s a powerful tool that offers a definite advantage to its
users. Corporations that have already used Gamification for their employees'
training have seen drastically improved participation levels and employee
enthusiasm for training. 95% of employees, who have been part of Gamified
training, enjoy using game-inspired aspects/elements of their work.
Gamification
of corporate training has the potential to become a key element in business
strategy. Well-trained and skilled employees are perhaps the most critical
resource a business can have, and Gamified training not only help with that,
but they also aid with employee morale, workplace happiness, and job
satisfaction. All of which are invaluable to an organization’s growth.
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