Are your team’s training sessions dragging on with low enthusiasm and even lower retention? Gamification could be the secret to turning those dull workshops into dynamic learning experiences.
Gamification in workplace learning means incorporating elements like points, badges, leaderboards, and challenges to make training sessions more interactive and engaging, much like a game. This strategy isn’t just about fun—it makes learning more effective and enjoyable.
Why consider gamification?
Let’s look at the numbers:
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A study published in the Journal of Applied Psychology shows that gamified learning experiences can increase retention rates by as much as 90%.
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Additionally, a study by PwC found that gamified environments can boost learner engagement by 60%.
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Furthermore, research by the Aberdeen Group indicates that organizations using gamification improve their employee turnover rates by up to 45% compared to non-gamified environments.
These statistics illustrate that when training is engaging and feels more like play, employees are not only more likely to enjoy it but also to remember and apply what they learn.
In this article, we’ll explore the latest and most exciting trends in gamification for corporate eLearning. We’ll provide you with actionable examples and insights that you can start using today to revitalize your training programs.
If you’re aiming for your team to not just complete their training but to truly engage with it and apply their new skills, these innovative strategies are key.
Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR) are shaking up the way training happens in the workplace by offering immersive and interactive experiences.
These technologies are becoming a trend because they turn theoretical knowledge into practical, hands-on experience. It means creating realistic digital environments where employees can learn new skills just like they’re playing a video game.
Take VR, for instance. When you put on a VR headset, you might step into a virtual setting where you need to tackle tasks like fixing a machine or leading a team. It feels like you’re in a game, but you’re actually learning important job skills in an engaging way.
With AR, you could use a tablet or smart glasses that display helpful digital images right on top of what you see in the real world. Imagine a technician getting visual instructions floating next to the equipment they’re fixing. It makes learning a natural part of the workday and not something separate.
Also read: Gamification in eLearning: What It Is, How to Use AI to Implement It, and What to Avoid
The trend towards microlearning is also making waves in gamification. Microgames are small, gamified activities that fit right into the daily workflow. These brief activities help reinforce learning without disrupting work tasks, offering quick challenges or rewards that can be completed in just a few minutes.
Because they’re short, they motivate employees with immediate rewards like points, badges, or small prizes.
Here’s how you could use it: Imagine adding a quick trivia game right after an eLearning session or setting up a daily challenge that relates to a task employees do every day. For example, they might get a quick game about safety procedures first thing in the morning and earn points for finishing it in less than five minutes.
Actionable Tip: Start using microgames to boost learning right after a training session. Slip them into your team’s everyday routine. Try a short quiz that takes about 3-5 minutes to complete, with rewards for those who keep coming back to participate. This way, everyone stays engaged and remembers more of what they learn.
Gamification is all about making the workday a bit more fun and keeping everyone on their toes. When it comes to eLearning, it’s not just about patting employees on the back for a job well done; it’s about making those pats more personal and exciting with digital rewards and customized badges.
Here’s what happens: When employees finish tasks, modules, or challenges, they earn special rewards. But these aren’t just any rewards; they’re customized to fit what each employee is good at or interested in. What’s more, companies are getting creative by letting employees trade the points they earn for real perks like extra days off, public shout-outs, or fun treats like gift cards or special company privileges.
For example, suppose someone completes several training sessions on team leadership and earns a badge that celebrates their leadership skills. They might decide to use their points for a relaxing day off or a lunch with a mentor. This method keeps everyone interested because they’re not only learning new things but also earning rewards that they actually want.
This trend in gamification shows how making learning personalized can help motivate employees and make work a little more exciting.
A big trend in L&D is using artificial intelligence (AI) to add exciting gamification elements to eLearning courses. This involves using AI-powered eLearning tools that can create realistic, interactive settings and characters, turning typical lessons into engaging adventures.
For example, consider a business negotiation course. An AI tool can build an office scenario complete with clickable areas that work like a treasure hunt. Clicking on a bookshelf might reveal a hidden article on negotiation tactics. As learners move through the virtual office, they can find and play mini-games that mimic real business challenges, such as discovering clues about what a client needs. This makes planning their negotiation strategies more interactive and fun.
Every click in this environment gives instant feedback, showing learners how their decisions play out. This immediate response helps them see what works and what doesn’t, allowing them to adjust their tactics on the fly. This interactive approach not only keeps learners interested but also deepens their understanding of the material by letting them practice it in real-time.
Also read: Five Rules of Engagement All eLearning Designers Should Live By
Immediate feedback keeps learners continuously involved by allowing them to see the results of their actions instantly. This immediacy helps maintain focus and motivation, as learners can immediately apply corrections and understand their mistakes, turning potential frustrations into learning opportunities.
This quick feedback also makes learning feel more like playing a game. Just like in a video game, every choice has a direct result. Learners can try different ways to handle a situation and see the effects immediately, which is a lot like moving up levels in a game.
Let’s think about a course that teaches customer service skills. As learners talk to virtual customers, they choose how to solve problems. The AI checks their choices right away and tells them how they did. For example, if someone doesn’t handle a customer’s complaint well, the AI explains what went wrong and shows better ways to handle it. It might even let them try again by using interactive replays or different paths they could take. This way, learners can practice and learn from their mistakes, making the whole learning experience more engaging and helpful.
Interdepartmental competitions are a rising trend in eLearning gamification, designed to encourage friendly competition and team collaboration across different departments. In these competitions, departments compete by earning points and working together toward shared goals. This approach not only motivates employees to improve their skills but also fosters a strong team spirit.
Learning Management Systems (LMS) play a big role in these competitions. Through the LMS, teams can track their progress, scores are updated automatically, and results are displayed on real-time leaderboards. This allows employees to see how their team measures up against others, keeping the competition exciting and motivating everyone to strive for victory.
Picture a challenge between the sales team and the marketing team. Both groups take a course on digital strategies with a set deadline. The LMS assigns points for each completed module and displays team progress on a leaderboard. At the end of the challenge, the team with the highest points or the fastest completion time wins a group reward, like a team lunch or an afternoon off.
Recommended read: AI-Driven Content Creation: Your Ultimate Guide to eLearning Success
As shown throughout this article, gamification is changing workplace learning, turning eLearning from just information-sharing into an engaging, motivating experience.
These trends not only boost engagement and knowledge retention but also prepare employees to handle real-life challenges more effectively.
Questions for Training Leaders to Consider:
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How could you bring immersive virtual worlds into your training programs to create safe, realistic practice scenarios?
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Could quick microgames and challenges strengthen daily learning without disrupting work?
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Are you personalizing digital rewards to better fit employees’ interests and achievements?
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How could AI help you make learning more customized and provide real-time feedback?
We invite training leaders to see these trends not as short-lived fads but as essential parts of a continuous professional development strategy, ready to adapt to the changing needs of today’s workplace.
We’d love to hear your thoughts! How have you implemented gamification in your learning programs? What results have you seen?
Share your experiences, and let’s keep exploring the exciting possibilities gamification offers.
