When is Gaming Important for Learning?

I think this article serves as a good reminder for the Human Resources IQ audience, pointing us to well-researched learning theory and brain science that may not be front-of-mind during the daily grind of work. The summary of gaming’s effect on content/skill retention and job-transfer is thoroughly demonstrated in the literature that should be well known to HR-IQ subscribers and to Sealund’s mailing list. In today’s economy and business environment, where we all have to increase productivity with a lower budget, this reminder is well-timed. I know it made me rethink my approach to one project that just landed on my plate! Although I’m a Doctor of Education and instructional program architect, sometimes the pressure of clients’ “inside the box” demands prevents me from thinking of a creative approach that will achieve better results within the same budget. The author’s illustrative example using her Alaris Financial Literacy courseware/game just demonstrates the findings of Metacognition research that imply that gaming, by its very nature, models decision-making skills – and that’s one of the trickiest things to teach in any medium.
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It is definitely harder to gain as well as maintain attention these days. Serious Games sound like the perfect way to educate without the ever popular static presentation accompanied by the occasional stock transition between text. In an age of movies and video game domination, it seems Sealund and Associates has taken the initiative to delete the monotony out of boring workplace training routines. We, as in everyone at any age, I am very excited to see what comes next.
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This hardly counts as an article. I was directed to this page from an email, hoping to learn more on the theory and research behind serious games. This "article" just touches upon general statements regarding serious games and then quickly becomes an ad for Sealund's financial training products. I had expected more when directed to read this.
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Great article! The video game generation has moved in to the workforce and training must adapt to their way of learning and interacting. Static printed paper and web pages are ineffective in keeping employees engaged in the topic. Sometimes we look to be creative and innovative in our product development efforts for external customers and fail to do the same for our internal "customers" (employees).
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This is a great article! Learning games are definitely the future of eLearning.
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I believe that learning how to work something by playing some type of game is a smart way to go. I’ve been at a few work places where you sit in front of a computer and watch a mind numbing video that is trying to teach me how to do something that is required to do my job effectively, but in truth I’m just trying to move this boring video along before I fell asleep. Game base Learning however is smart; it keeps the user focused on what they’re learning without the boring part. It keeps the person interactive and entertained while learning important information. It helps teach others on how to make important decisions and did I also say not boring. I mean when the last time you learned anything from a boring lecture? Keep the person into what he learning and he or she will learn it.
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