The Power Of Play – Why Game-Based Learning Is The Future Of Organizational Development
- Brainz Magazine
- Oct 9, 2023
- 5 min read
Written by: Marie Genevieve Pawlak, Senior Level Executive Contributor
Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise.
Remember the days of stuffy classrooms, monotonous PowerPoint slides, and long lectures that made you clock-watch more than a New Year's Eve countdown? Yeah, those methods are as outdated as flip phones. In an era where innovation is vital, traditional modes of training barely scratch the surface. Enter game-based learning—an approach that delves deeper retains longer, and fosters a learning community.
Why does traditional training fall short and leave you feeling like you ate empty calories?
Lack of engagement
Traditional training usually involves lecture-style delivery, often lacking interactive elements. This makes it easy for participants to zone out, reducing the impact of the training.
Surface-level learning
Traditional training often focuses on rote memorization rather than a deeper understanding of the subject matter. It provides the "what" but not the "why" or the "how," making the information feel detached from its practical application.
One-size-fits-all approach
This method doesn't take into account the diverse learning styles and paces of different individuals. Not everyone is a visual or auditory learner, and the lack of personalization can make the learning experience ineffective.
Absence of real-world context
Traditional training can be very theoretical, missing opportunities to apply knowledge in a practical, real-world context. This leaves a gap between what is learned and its application.
No emotional connection
The formal nature of traditional training often fails to engage people emotionally. When you're emotionally invested, you're more likely to remember and apply what you've learned.
Short-term focus
Often, the aim is to get everyone "up to speed" quickly, leading to cramming and rushed learning. This may tick boxes in the short term but usually doesn't lead to sustained knowledge retention or skill development.
So, just like empty calories, traditional training methods leave you consuming "something," but you're not really getting the nutritional value—that deep, meaningful, and lasting understanding—you need to grow and excel.
The experiential difference
If you want to get fancy, game-based learning, or experiential learning, is a whole different ball game (pun absolutely intended!). This interactive approach puts participants in a dynamic environment where they can experiment, fail, adapt, and succeed—all within the safety of a simulated world. It creates a richer learning experience that is miles away from the one-size-fits-all approach of traditional training.
Deeper learning
Engaging both the emotional and intellectual aspects of people helps them internalize what they've learned in a more meaningful way. Instead of just memorizing facts and figures, they grasp concepts and frameworks, better equipping them to tackle real-world challenges.
Better retention
Ever get so lost in a game that you lose track of time? Now, imagine applying that level of engagement to learning. This not only boosts retention but also makes the learning process much more enjoyable.
Fostering community
Game-based learning isn't just an individual endeavor; it's often a team sport. This creates a supportive learning environment that not only aligns with the idea of psychological safety in the workplace but takes it a step further by fostering a sense of community.
The shared joy of discovery
But the magic doesn't stop at the community level. When a learning experience is shared, the benefits compound. This leads us to an exciting aspect that often goes unnoticed.
The magic of unconscious learning: Why fun strengthens our skills
Have you ever been so engrossed in a game that you lost track of time? It turns out that when we're engaged in play, we often forget that we're actually learning. And that's a great thing!
Immersive experience
Games create immersive experiences that captivate our attention. This immersion activates multiple areas of our brain, making the learning multi-dimensional and, therefore, more memorable.
Emotional investment
What makes games particularly compelling is their emotional component. Whether it's the thrill of a challenge or the joy of victory, these emotional experiences create a "memory anchor," making the concepts and skills learned stick with us for the long term.
A focus on mastery, not just knowledge
In traditional training, the goal is often to "cover" material. In contrast, game-based learning aims for mastery. You're not just passively absorbing information but actively applying and testing your knowledge in a dynamic environment.
Natural feedback loop
Games provide instant feedback. Each decision you make leads to an immediate outcome, reinforcing the correct behavior or prompting you to re-evaluate and try a new strategy. This constant feedback loop strengthens the learning process without you even realizing it.
By transforming learning into an enjoyable, emotionally engaging experience, game-based approaches make the process feel less like a chore and more like a game—which it is! The result is a learning experience that sticks, almost as if you've etched it into your brain with a permanent marker.
In the race to adapt and excel, old training manuals just don't cut it anymore. Game-based learning offers a richer, more engaging, and effective model for training that respects the individual while elevating the team. Because at the end of the day, aren't we all striving for the same thing—a work environment where everyone goes home feeling whole?
So, let me leave you with a fun game for you to try.
Try it yourself: "The island escape" — A planning and strategy game
Ready for a dash of adventure in your office? "The Island Escape" is a quick and easy game that encourages collective planning, resource allocation, and strategic thinking.
What you'll need
A whiteboard or large sheet of paper
Markers
Post-it notes
A timer
How to play
Set the Scene: Draw an island on the whiteboard or paper. Add a few obstacles like mountains, rivers, and forests. Place a treasure chest on one end and the team's starting point on the other.
Mission: The team's mission is to reach the treasure in the shortest time possible, overcoming obstacles along the way.
Plan & Strategize: Each team member writes down what resources (like a boat for crossing a river or a rope for climbing a mountain) they would bring and how they'd contribute to the mission on Post-it notes. Stick these onto the board near the obstacles they'd help overcome.
Time Crunch: Give the team 10 minutes to finalize their strategy and present their plan, explaining how they'll tackle each obstacle.
Review & Reflect: After the timer goes off, discuss the plan's strengths and weaknesses and what could be optimized for better outcomes.
Why it works
This simple exercise encourages team members to think ahead, allocate resources wisely, and plan as a cohesive unit. It's like a crash course in project management but way more fun.
So there you have it, folks—the next time you're tasked with training your team, forget the dusty old manuals and monotonous PowerPoints. Unleash the transformative power of game-based learning, and let the games begin!
We'd love to hear how "The Island Escape" went for you and your team. What were your biggest takeaways? Any surprising strategies? Please drop a comment below or reach out to us directly to share your experience.
Remember, we're all in this journey of organizational development together. Let's embrace a future where work is not just a "have-to-do" but a fulfilling experience where every person goes home feeling whole.
Marie Genevieve Pawlak, Senior Level Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine
Marie Genevieve Pawlak is the founder of Prime Alchemy, a leading expert in game-based learning and organizational health, which provides people with the tools they need to find value and purpose in their work. The Prime Alchemy team works to develop programs that really engage people. Through play. Game-based programs use your own tasks and projects, so you never get behind schedule. Marie believes in organizational health as a way to build a better workplace. Healthy organizations outperform their competitors, are free of politics, have higher transparency, and encourage star performers to stay. Prime Alchemy is a division of Planning101 Group Corp.
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