Game-Based Learning vs. Traditional Training

Is Game-Based Learning or Traditional Training Right For Your Employees?

The MIT (Massachusetts Institute of Technology) carried out a research in 2010 where the brain-behavior of a 19-year-old student was studied for a week. They found that his brain activity while attending a traditional training classroom was almost zero – similar to that when watching television. Clearly, the classroom teaching methodology is not working with young people. No wonder there are new learning trends emerging for the modern workforce – gamified learning being one of them.

A study by Tracy Sitzmann reiterates that games are the best way to learn. When compared with traditional learning, game-based learning (GBL) has the following advantages:

It increases the self-confidence of the learner by 20%.
It improves conceptual knowledge by an 11%.
It ensures learning retention up to 90%.
It generates roughly 300% more of completed tasks.

What’s the difference between game-based and traditional training?

#1: Creativity and innovation

Traditional training methods may not be able to inspire learners to be creative and think outside-the-box. They usually have a fixed structure. GBL encourages learners to break the mold and think differently. They do have a fixed set of rules, but the ground for innovation is far higher than traditional methods.

#2: Learning by doing

In a traditional environment, learners are taught theoretically. They are expected to apply the knowledge once they are out of the classroom. There is no way to make sure that the learners have grasped the concept well and will be able to apply it later. But, in GBL, the learners are actually going through the motions and learning while playing. They are learning new concepts and applying it in the gaming environment. That way they are able to retain and recall information faster.

#3: Cost

Traditional training involves investment in travel and accommodation of the learners and instructors. You need to book the training venue and provide any needed equipment. Then there is a cost involved for any printed material needed. GBL demands a high initial investment in terms of infrastructure, just like all new tech innovation. But, you can write it off in the long-term as they are reusable. The more learners use it, the faster the expense is written off. Not to mention the reduced carbon footprint, since no paper is involved.

#4: Engagement level

The hidden agenda of GBL is to teach. Haven’t there been times where you lost track of the real world since you were super engrossed in a game? Similarly, when the learners like the game they get hooked to it. When learners have fun while learning, they are invested in the content. They learn faster and recall better. Traditional learning methods can be made fun too. There are instructors who have the knack of keeping the learners on their toes. But, the engagement level is nothing compared to that of games.

#5: Metrics

It is crucial to assess the effectiveness of any training program. After all, you have invested money and you expect a decent return. In GBL, analytics provide a storehouse of data. They record and analyze the learners’ reactions in detail. This is not possible in traditional learning methods. They use assessments that cannot really gauge the learner understanding.

Gamification or game-based learning will continue to grow in popularity because the tech-savvy millennials are taking over the workforce. Organizations have realized that traditional training will not cut it. If they want their training funds to fetch good returns, then they have to upgrade to modern learning methods.

At Designing Digitally, Inc. we develop engaging, entertaining, and educational custom game-based learning experiences for our clients. With over a decade of developing award-winning serious games for the largest brands in the world, we have the experience and aptitude to develop your custom game-based learning experience.

To learn more about how your company’s training can be improved with game-based learning, download our complimentary white paper or book a free consultation with one of our experienced Learning Solutions Specialists today.