Gamification in Learning and Development: 5 powerful Way to Use Games to Supercharge Training.

The use of game-based learning in workplaces is on the rise, as it is believed to enhance employee engagement, productivity, and profitability. Many large global businesses, including up to 70% of the Global 2000 companies, have already incorporated gamification elements in their operations.

What is gamification? 

Gamification is the process of integrating game mechanics and design elements into non-game contexts to engage and motivate people to accomplish their goals. In simpler terms, it’s about making everyday activities more fun and interactive by incorporating game-like elements, such as points, badges, leaderboards, and challenges, into them.

The concept of gamification is not new, as it has been used for decades in different forms. However, with the rise of digital technologies and the increasing popularity of video games, gamification has become more prevalent and effective in various industries, including education, marketing, healthcare, and business.

Some data about gamification in corporate training: 

1. 1. According to statistics, most employees in America are provided with job training that incorporates gaming features. The data suggests that 83% of individuals who receive gamified training are motivated, while 61% of employees who receive standard training without any gaming elements feel uninterested.
   2. The corporate sector is the biggest consumer of gamified learning solutions, with a staggering growth rate of 47.5% in recent years.
   3. According to a survey, 89% of respondents reported feeling enthusiastic about completing a gamified task. This approach also ignites a competitive spirit and mindset among participants.
   4. Approximately 80 million white-collar workers in the US are also casual gamers. A recent study showed that 24% of white-collar office workers in the US play casual video games during work hours, and as much as 35% of high-level executives, including chief executive officers and chief financial officers, engage in casual gaming activities while at work.

Benefits of Gamification in Training 

Increased Engagement: Gamification can make training more interesting and engaging for employees. By incorporating game-like elements such as points, levels, and rewards, employees are more likely to be motivated to participate and complete training activities.

Better Retention: Games often require players to recall information and use it to solve problems. This same principle can be applied to training. By making training interactive and challenging, employees are more likely to retain information.

Immediate Feedback: Games provide immediate feedback, allowing players to adjust their strategies and improve their performance. In the same way, gamified training can provide employees with instant feedback, helping them identify areas for improvement and refine their skills.

How to implement Gamification in training?

Set clear objectives and align them with business goals

Before you start adding game elements to your training, it’s important to identify clear objectives that align with your business goals. What do you want your learners to achieve? What behaviors do you want to encourage? By answering these questions, you can create a gamification strategy that is targeted and effective.

By aligning your objectives with your business goals, you can ensure that your gamification efforts are impactful and measurable.

Choose the right game mechanics

Game mechanics are the rules and structures that define a game, such as points, levels, and challenges. By selecting the right game mechanics for your training program, you can create a compelling and engaging experience for your learners.

For example, you might use points to track learner progress, levels to signify mastery, and challenges to provide a sense of achievement. You could also incorporate leaderboards to foster competition and social learning. Some of the examples are:

Leaderboards: Leaderboards show employees how they compare to others, individually or as a team. They promote friendly competition and motivate employees to put more effort into specific tasks.

Badges: Badges are issued when the employee accomplishes a task. They can appear under an employee’s username on the leaderboard. They boost the employee’s confidence and provide extrinsic motivation that pushes them to keep giving their best.

Points: Employees earn points for completing activities or contributing as they advance through the training. The points are displays of accomplishments that are measurable. You can have rewards for employees who attain a certain sum of points, such as premier parking or a bonus.

Levels: Levels indicate when an employee has hit a milestone. They show that the employee can access extra learning material and is capable of achieving a more advanced set of objectives. It gives them a sense of advancement and intrinsic motivation to keep learning. Levels also make it easier to organize the employee’s content progression better.

Progress bars: Progress bars show the part of the course the employee has completed and how much more they need to tackle. Progress bars boost training completion rates. Add a touch of animation to make them visually pleasing and fun.

By carefully selecting your game mechanics, you can ensure that your gamification efforts are motivating, challenging, and rewarding.

Provide immediate feedback

One of the key benefits of gamification is the ability to provide immediate feedback to learners. By giving learners real-time feedback on their progress and performance, you can help them improve and stay motivated.

For example, you might provide feedback in the form of points, badges, or rewards. You could also use simulations or scenarios to provide learners with experiential feedback that helps them learn and grow.

According to a study by TalentLMS, 83% of learners said that they would be more engaged in their training if it included progress tracking and milestones.

By providing immediate feedback, you can create a sense of accomplishment and progress that keeps learners engaged and motivated.

Make it social

Another key benefit of gamification is the ability to foster social learning and collaboration. By incorporating social elements into your training program, you can create a sense of community and encourage learners to support each other.

By making your gamification efforts social, you can create a supportive and engaging learning environment that encourages learners to participate and learn from each other.

Measure and evaluate your results

Finally, it’s important to measure and evaluate your gamification efforts to ensure that they are effective and delivering the desired results. By tracking metrics such as engagement, completion rates, and performance, you can identify areas for improvement and optimize your training program over time.

By measuring and evaluating your gamification efforts, you can ensure that your training program is effective, engaging, and impactful.

Examples of gamified training

Deloitte:

Deloitte, one of the world’s largest professional services firms, uses a gamified training program called Deloitte Leadership Academy (DLA). DLA is an interactive online learning platform that features more than 150 courses and simulations that teach employees about leadership, management, and professional development. The program includes points, badges, and leaderboards to incentivize employees to complete the courses and compete with each other. Deloitte has reported increased engagement and completion rates since implementing DLA.

IBM:

IBM, a multinational technology company, has implemented a gamified training program called IBM THINK Academy. THINK Academy provides employees with access to a vast library of training materials, including videos, courses, and interactive simulations. The program uses a point system, badges, and leaderboards to incentivize employees to complete the courses and track their progress. IBM has reported increased employee engagement and knowledge retention since implementing THINK Academy.

McDonald’s:

McDonald’s, one of the largest fast-food chains in the world, has implemented a gamified training program called McDonald’s Till Training Game. The game simulates real-life scenarios that employees encounter while working at the cash register, such as taking orders, handling money, and dealing with difficult customers. The game includes levels, rewards, and feedback to motivate employees to improve their performance. McDonald’s has reported increased employee satisfaction and confidence since implementing the game.

These three companies demonstrate the effectiveness of gamified training in increasing engagement, motivation, and knowledge retention among employees. By incorporating gaming elements into their training programs, they have created a fun and interactive learning experience that resonates with employees and improves their overall performance.

To learn more about the companies using gamified training, click on this blog. 

In conclusion, gamification is an innovative and effective approach to learning and development that can enhance training outcomes in numerous ways. By incorporating game elements into training programs, organizations can increase engagement, motivation, and knowledge retention among employees.

The five powerful ways to use gamification in learning and development discussed in this article, are just a few examples of how gamification can be implemented in practical and impactful ways. As organizations continue to embrace gamification as a learning tool, they can create a more engaging and effective learning experience that benefits both employees and the organization as a whole. With careful planning and strategic implementation, gamification can truly supercharge training and drive success.