Play to Learn

1. Learning games are powerful tools for engagement and skill development

Games are more effective than lecture-based approaches to learning.

Research supports effectiveness. Multiple meta-analyses have demonstrated that game-based learning outperforms traditional classroom instruction in promoting learning and retention. For example:

• Wouters et al. (2013) found that serious games were more effective than conventional methods, especially when augmented with other instructional methods and multiple training sessions.
• Sitzmann (2011) reported that game-based trainees had 11% higher declarative knowledge, 14% higher procedural knowledge, and 9% higher retention compared to conventional instruction.

Benefits of learning games:

• Provide compelling ways to learn strategy, resource allocation, and innovative thinking
• Help understand alternative points of view
• Offer personalized learning experiences
• Reinforce memory through spacing and repetition of content

2. Effective learning games balance entertainment with educational objectives

Learning games need to be what we call "fun enough."

Focus on engagement, not entertainment. While entertainment games prioritize fun, learning games must strike a balance between engagement and educational value. Key considerations:

• Don't try to teach everything in one game; start small and focused
• Keep rules simple to avoid cognitive overload
• Build in guidance and prompts to support learners
• Ensure winning is contingent on learning, not luck
• Design for both winning and losing states to lead to learning

Integrate into larger learning design:

• Introduce the game and explain learning objectives beforehand
• Follow game play with a debrief to reinforce learning
• Provide context and guidance for maximum effectiveness

3. Game design starts with clear business needs and learning goals

Clarify the problem you need to solve before you start designing anything, and agree on how success can be measured.

Define the business need. Begin by identifying a specific, quantifiable business problem that training can address. Examples:

• Reduce new hire ramp-up time from 12 months to 6 months
• Decrease annual employee turnover from 300% to 250%
• Reduce on-site customer training time from 4 weeks to 5 days

Set clear learning objectives. Develop instructional goals and specific learning objectives that directly support the business need. Use Bloom's Taxonomy to target appropriate cognitive skill levels:

1. Knowledge: Know and remember facts
2. Comprehension: Understand and explain ideas
3. Application: Use knowledge to solve problems
4. Analysis: Break down information and make inferences
5. Synthesis: Combine information to form new solutions
6. Evaluation: Judge information against criteria

4. Core game dynamics and mechanics should support learning objectives

Your choice of what elements to include should be deliberate and made with your instructional goal and objectives in mind.

Select appropriate core dynamics. Choose game dynamics that reinforce real-world contexts and learning needs:

• Race to the finish: For time-constrained tasks
• Territory acquisition: To emulate dominance or business success
• Exploration: For compare/contrast and analysis objectives
• Collection: To help make associations between concepts
• Construct or build: To reinforce creation of real-world outcomes

Design supporting mechanics. Create rules that mirror real-world experiences and reinforce learning:

• Example: In a sales game, relevant questions earn money and increase customer satisfaction, while irrelevant ones decrease ratings and cost money.
• Align mechanics with learning principles like repetition, feedback, and real-world application.

5. Prototyping and playtesting are crucial for refining game design

Your goal with a prototype is to create a quick, easy, and low-cost test of your game design idea.

Create paper prototypes. Even for digital games, start with paper prototypes to:

• Quickly test core dynamics and mechanics
• Identify problems early in the design process
• Force careful consideration of player interactions

Conduct multiple rounds of playtesting. Progress through three main phases:

1. Concept test with design team
2. Structured testing with representatives of target audience
3. Beta testing with actual target learners

Gather feedback systematically:

• Observe player interactions and confusion points
• Use "think aloud" technique to understand player thoughts
• Conduct post-play interviews
• Measure learning with pre/post tests

6. Game development requires careful planning and resource allocation

From the very first design meeting, you need to be thinking forward to your game's eventual development.

Assemble a cross-functional team. Key roles include:

• Project Manager: Oversees timelines and deliverables
• Instructional Designer: Defines learning objectives and content
• Game Designer: Ensures engaging gameplay aligned with learning
• Artist: Creates visual theme and aesthetics
• Programmer: Implements game functionality (for digital games)
• Quality Assurance: Tests gameplay and learning effectiveness

Choose appropriate development tools. Options range from simple to complex:

• Microsoft Office: For basic tabletop games
• E-learning authoring tools: For simple digital games
• Unity or Unreal Engine: For complex 3D games

Consider using Agile methodology. Benefits include:

• Rapid iterations and frequent testing
• Flexibility to adapt design based on feedback
• Focus on creating a minimum viable product (MVP) first

7. Successful implementation depends on logistics and marketing strategies

Don't make the rookie mistake of assuming learners will be so intrigued by the idea of a game that simply getting to play captures their attention.

Plan logistics thoroughly. Address key considerations:

• For tabletop games: Production, storage, shipping, facilitation
• For digital games: System testing, distribution, maintenance, technical support

Develop a strong marketing strategy. Key elements:

• Make game play mandatory if possible, not optional
• Create a multi-channel communication campaign (posters, emails, intranet)
• Use 7-9 touchpoints to reinforce your message
• Provide incentives or recognition for participation and performance

Overcome potential obstacles:

• Address technical issues early (e.g., browser compatibility, IT security)
• Educate stakeholders on the value of game-based learning
• Create buzz through limited initial access or pilot programs

Last updated: July 29, 2024