It’s a new year, start it off with FUN in your training classroom!  Any learning professional will tell you that the most effective way to transfer learning in the classroom is through an activity.  No number of cute graphics on the PowerPoint or how many jumping jacks a trainer can do to start the class (this is an actual thing), will make the learning stick like a fun game.  There’s a term for this and that term is “GAMIFICATION.”  Sounds cool right?  Well despite the way the word looks, it doesn’t necessarily mean that your students will have a video game controller in their hands.  Here’s what gamification is and a few benefits it can bring to your classroom.

Gamification is the use of game mechanics in nongame environments to inspire, collaborate, and interact.  It is simply, the activity portion of the class.  Gone should be the days where learners enter an environment with one speaker and a PowerPoint at the front of the room where this person is the only person that speaks the whole day.  This year, send your learners on a journey of excitement and collaboration.  Here’s a few ways gamification can enhance your sessions:

1. Active participation: Traditional training methods often rely on passive learning, such as listening to lectures or watching presentations. Gamification transforms the learning experience into an active and participatory one. By incorporating interactive elements like quizzes, simulations, and gamified activities, participants are encouraged to think critically, apply knowledge, and make decisions. This hands-on approach promotes deeper understanding and retention of information.
2. Increased retention: The use of gamification techniques, such as repetition, reinforcement, and spaced learning, enhances knowledge retention. By integrating game elements like challenges or quizzes at regular intervals, participants are prompted to review and reinforce their understanding of the content. This repetitive and spaced learning approach has been shown to improve long-term retention and application of knowledge.
3. Enjoyment and positive emotions: Gamification injects an element of fun and excitement into training sessions. By creating a pleasant and enjoyable learning experience, participants are more likely to feel positive emotions, such as curiosity, enthusiasm, and satisfaction. These positive emotions contribute to increased motivation, engagement, and overall enjoyment of the training process.

Gamification enhances training sessions by promoting active participation, improving knowledge retention, and creating an enjoyable learning experience. By incorporating game-like elements, trainers can effectively engage participants, boost their learning outcomes, and make the training process more effective and memorable.