The Impact of Gamification On Corporate eLearning

Gaming is a normal part of everyday culture. From casual games on your phone to avid gamers eagerly awaiting the latest major console release, very few people haven’t tried their hand at a game once or twice.

Games are engaging. They draw you in and compel you to keep playing. Five minutes of gaming can quickly turn into a full hour. But can gaming mechanics be applied to eLearning? They certainly can! Gamifications elements are even integrated into the framework of many modern learning management systems (LMSs).

The same ingredients that make gaming so addictive can also apply to learning, leading to better results with employee training programmes. Here are several ways in which gamification is changing learning in the corporate environment.

1) Gamification Makes Learning More Engaging

There are many ways to teach your learners. While traditional classroom instruction can still be of value, and can even work in tandem with eLearning initiatives, instructor-led sessions can be difficult to make engaging.

eLearning makes the process of learning more fun and enjoyable, which, in turn, helps your students better retain the information they’re learning. It’s easy for students to tune out an instructor-led lesson, or even miss important concepts because of distractions, fatigue, or just how the material is being presented. When training material is gamified, it gives learners the opportunity to interact with it directly, and receive more immediate feedback.

2) Gamification Allows For Instant Feedback

In a classroom setting, it’s hard to know when an idea has hit home, or when a student has had that all-important “aha” moment. It may be reflected in their test score down the line, or in their behaviour within your organisation, but the feedback you receive won’t be immediate, so you won’t know if your employees are learning what they should be until later.

eLearning creates an opportunity for more immediate feedback. With the use of a leaderboard, students can see exactly how they’re doing compared to others. Your team members can also identify areas where they need to improve, or where they may need additional clarification based on their scores. Likewise, management can also recognise outstanding students as they post high scores. This type of recognition can lead to better employee retention, and a better working environment overall.

3) Gamification Boosts Learning Activity

Learning is less of a burden when it can be done at one’s own leisure and convenience. eLearning allows your students to learn at their own pace, on their own time. If you want to, you can also guide them along a specific learning path by awarding badges or points as they complete certain courses or modules.

When learning is fun, there will be less resistance to it. This can boost productivity. You may see more of your students willingly taking more courses, learning more about your organisation and the role they play in it.

There are few things more fulfilling to a teacher when their pupil takes to the material. Gamification in eLearning is a great way to encourage more learning in your business.

Final Thoughts on Gamification

The impact of gamification in eLearning is far-reaching in the corporate environment, and it is increasingly becoming a more popular way of relaying key information to do with employee conduct and guidelines, specific roles or tasks, processes and procedures, and more.

By and large, companies are discovering that eLearning is scalable, cost-effective, and easy to maintain. With the help of gamification, you can create engaging training programmes your students will love to participate in, and learn a great deal from.

Games aren’t just for fun anymore. Gamification can be a powerful tool in the learning process when used correctly. If you have yet to explore the possibilities, it’s worth looking into how gamification can benefit your training initiatives.