We are all aware that employee development and team building within the modern business is now defined by the increasingly important role of technology. While traditional techniques are indeed still applicable, we have witnessed a paradigm shift into virtual learning and development alongside more streamlined methods of team building.
One interesting concept is what has been called the “gamification of learning”. What does this involve, how can it help businesses and what other advancements can we expect over the next ten years? The answers to these questions are interesting as they can be considered “game changers” in many ways. Let’s take a closer look.
The Gamification of Learning: Modern Applications
As suggested, this concept involves motivating employees to learn through the use of challenges in the form of games. In other words, they are more likely to continue to develop team-building and engagement skills if they are motivated and view the process as fun. There are several unique benefits associated with this method. Some of the most prominent include:
– The possibility of failing without experiencing negative repercussions.
– Tasks are easier to define.
– Encouraging employees to “think outside the box”.
– Motivating those who may not enjoy traditional business learning techniques.
We should also point out that this is a powerful tool in terms of team building. When employees are allowed to team up with their co-workers in order to complete a specific task, a greater sense of accountability and communication can be created.
Resonating With the New Generation of Employees
Many educational articles have pointed out that this type of employee development will particularly resonate with the younger generation, as this demographic is also accustomed to interacting with mobile devices such as smartphones and tablets. Games can be crafted to become more engaging and therefore both learning and development can be more appealing in a user-friendly (and yet instructional) way.
Of course, we also need to take into account such advancements as dedicated applications, remote instruction and virtual meetings. Not only are these great for existing team members, but newer members of staff will be able to feel more at ease. As technology continues to advance, we should expect the gamification of learning to take on an even more prominent role.
