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Welcome to your first exploration into the world of (1) Digital Game and (2) Game Play in Corporate Training. This pitstop will equip you with foundational knowledge about digital games, their educational potential, and how they transition from entertainment to powerful learning tools in professional settings.
Before we unpack the 2 concepts, let's take a few minutes to play this HR Soft skills terminology game.
＊For best experience, you can open and play in a new tab. Link to game: https://www.educaplay.com/learning-resources/13873577-soft_skill_in_human_resource.html
It's a very simple game, but the idea is to get you thinking about how simple gameplay mechanics like matching vocabulary with key concepts, can support workplace learning in fields like Human Resources.
🏁 Check point: Game reflection
🏁 Check point: Game reflection
After completing the game above, now, let us know your thoughts on this Padlet board below.
So finally, what is a Digital Game?
So finally, what is a Digital Game?
A digital game is far more than pixels and points. In the corporate learning context, it's a structured interactive experience that engages learners through:
🎯 Goal-Oriented Challenges: Clear objectives that mirror real-world outcomes
🔄 Immediate Feedback Loops: Instant responses that guide learning
📈 Progressive Difficulty: Scaffolded complexity that builds mastery
🤝 Social Interaction: Collaborative or competitive elements that enhance engagement
📊 Data-Driven Insights: Analytics that reveal learning patterns and gaps
Components of Digital Games
Components of Digital Games
Game Mechanics
Game Mechanics
Core Systems:
Points & Scoring: Quantified progress and achievement
Levels & Progression: Structured advancement pathways
Challenges & Obstacles: Problems that require skill application
Resources & Management: Strategic decision-making elements
Rules & Constraints: Boundaries that create meaningful choices
Game Dynamics
Game Dynamics
Emergent Behaviors:
Competition: Leaderboards driving performance
Collaboration: Team challenges fostering cooperation
Mastery: Skill development through repeated practice
Autonomy: Player choice and self-directed learning
Purpose: Connection to meaningful outcomes
Game Aesthetics
Game Aesthetics
Emotional Engagement:
Visual Design: Compelling interfaces and environments
Narrative Structure: Stories that contextualize learning
Audio Experience: Sound design that enhances immersion
User Interface: Intuitive interaction patterns
Feedback Systems: Satisfying confirmation of progress
Technology Infrastructure
Technology Infrastructure
Platform Requirements:
Cross-Device Compatibility: Mobile, desktop, VR accessibility
Learning Management Integration: Seamless LMS connectivity
Analytics & Reporting: Detailed learning data capture
Scalability: Supporting thousands of concurrent users
Security & Privacy: Protecting learner data and organizational information
What Makes a Game Educational?
What Makes a Game Educational?
Learning-Centered Design
Learning-Centered Design
Clear Competency Mapping: Skills aligned with business objectives
Assessment Integration: Formative and summative evaluation
Scaffolded Experiences: Building from simple to complex
Transfer Mechanism: Connecting game learning to real-world application
Pedagogical Integration
Pedagogical Integration
Constructivist Learning: Building knowledge through experience
Social Learning Theory: Peer interaction and observation
Experiential Learning Cycle: Experience → Reflection → Application
Adult Learning Principles: Self-paced, problem-centered, experience-rich
Authentic Context
Authentic Context
Realistic Scenarios: Mirror actual workplace situations
Industry-Specific Content: Relevant to learner's professional context
Consequence Modeling: Actions have realistic outcomes
Expert Validation: Content reviewed by subject matter experts
Game-Play Mechanics in Corporate Settings
Game-Play Mechanics in Corporate Settings
Achievement Systems
Achievement Systems
Micro-Badges: Small wins that maintain motivation
Certification Pathways: Credentials with real-world value
Portfolio Building: Collecting evidence of competency
Peer Recognition: Social validation of accomplishments
Social Features
Social Features
Collaborative Missions: Team-based problem solving
Mentorship Systems: Experienced players guide newcomers
Community Challenges: Organization-wide competitions
Knowledge Sharing: Player-generated content and tips
Personalization Elements
Personalization Elements
Adaptive Pathways: Content adjusts to learning pace and style
Role-Based Scenarios: Customized to job function and level
Cultural Localization: Relevant to geographic and cultural context
Accessibility Options: Accommodating diverse abilities and preferences
From Game to Simulation: The Corporate Learning Spectrum
From Game to Simulation: The Corporate Learning Spectrum
Gamified Learning
Gamified Learning
Characteristics:
Traditional content with game elements
Points, badges, leaderboards overlay
Competition-driven motivation
Linear progression paths
Example: Duolingo's language skill assessments with badges and certificates
Game-Based Learning
Game-Based Learning
Characteristics:
Learning objectives integrated into gameplay
Narrative contexts that engage emotionally
Problem-solving through game mechanics
Multiple pathways to success
Example: McDonald's POS Traning Game - employees master Point of Sale (POS) systems used in restaurants, which enhances order-taking speed, accuracy and overall customer service
Serious Game
Serious Game
Characteristics:
Purpose-built for specific learning outcomes
High production values and engagement
Complex scenarios requiring strategic thinking
Measurable skill development
Example: Johnson & Johnson's surgeon training games that improve laparoscopic surgery skills by 230%
Professional Simulation
Professional Simulation
Characteristics:
High-fidelity recreation of real environments
Consequence-based learning with realistic outcomes
Expert-level skill practice and assessment
Industry-standard tools and procedures
Example: Through Microsoft Flight Simulator, Boeing's 787 Dreamliner pilot training simulator - $15 million investment that saves $50 million annually in traditional training costs
If you want to know more about Game-based Learning, Serious Games and how they are shaping the future of corporate learning, check out these videos below. (This is optional; You will not earn any Stamina Point). In the upcoming Stops, we will be focusing on Simulation training, specifically in flight simulation, race simulation, and role play VR simulation.
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