Three ways that gamified learning experiences take eLearning to the next level
What would it take to get your employees excited about the online training process? There are many answers to this question, but one solution is always a sure thing: give them an incentive! In this article, I’ll discuss the benefits of gamifying online training. In a later post we’ll share tips on incorporating game mechanics into your corporate eLearning program.
Gamification involves the use of game mechanics, such as badges and leaderboards, to motivate corporate learners. Employees who may lack drive or are easily distracted typically need an extra nudge, and gamification gives them an incentive to actively participate. Even if there are no tangible rewards involved, employees are more likely to complete gamified online training activities in order to earn points, unlock items, or advance up the leaderboard.
It’s also growing in popularity. While it saw a market growth of only $250 million in 2012, gamification took off in 2015 with $1.5 billion in growth, and is projected to continue to rise, with $2.8 billion and $5.5 billion in 2016 and 2018 respectively according to a MarketsandMarkets report.
Benefits Of Gamification in Corporate eLearning
If you’ve been wondering whether gamification is a good fit for your corporate eLearning program or aren’t sure where to even begin, then you’ve come to the right place. Here are three key benefits of gamification in eLearning.
1. It Stresses Real-World Applications Without Real-World Risks
Gamified online training courses often include online training simulations and branching scenarios that feature real world situations. For example, in order to earn a badge corporate learners must successfully complete a branching scenario and choose all of the correct decision paths. This gives them the opportunity to explore the real-world applications of the subject matter, minus the real-world risks and consequences. They are free to make mistakes, discover new problem-solving approaches, and identify performance gaps in a supportive corporate eLearning environment.
2. It Motivates Employees
Different game mechanics offer different levels of competition. For example, leaderboards are typically more competitive than badges. However, no matter what gamification element you choose, employee motivation is part of the package. This is due to the fact that employees like earning rewards and tracking their progress. They are driven to collect as many points as possible, because it serves as proof that their hard efforts are paying off.
3. It Improves Workplace Productivity
If employees are more motivated to learn then they are more likely to achieve their goals, and when they achieve their goals they are going to be more productive in the workplace. This leads to increased company profits and a streamlined work process. However, to achieve these results your gamification corporate eLearning strategy must align with your goals and objectives. If you are just including game mechanics to boost the entertainment value of your corporate eLearning program or attract new corporate learners, then you may want to rethink about gamifying your corporate eLearning strategy.
Are you looking for ways to inspire and motivate your new hires? Do you want to offer them an online training orientation experience that entertains as much as it educates? Read the article 7 Tips To Use Serious Games In Onboarding Online Training and learn how to integrate serious games into your onboarding online training.
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