Designing Digitally
06/27/2019
If asked the question "would you rather be learning or playing", many of us would answer with the latter. But, why not do both? Science has long proven that kids learn best through play. It stands to reason that the child within each of us also learns better through play. Effective gamification and game-based learning (GBL) are increasingly used by international companies. These companies have clued into what science has discovered: people learn better when the learning environment is fun.
Today, educational games are in full bloom. The concepts of gamification and game-based learning have infiltrated the workplace too.
The difference between the two, gamification and GBL, can seem unclear. Gamification refers to incorporating game elements into non-game environments, such as the workplace. It encourages trainee performance through the use of rewards such as:
GBL, in turn, are games designed for learning as an outcome of gameplay. In these types of games, play equals learning. To reach the game's next level you must:
You can play board games, card games, or video games for educational purposes.
McDonald's, Microsoft, and Google have integrated gamification and game-based learning into their systems. Training and learning become more effective when peppered with gaming elements. And, employees learn faster, their potential increases, and they become more engaged in their training and at work.
The vast majority of people know McDonald's. This American fast food restaurant is the largest franchise chain in the world. Over 69 million people from over 100 countries visit the restaurant daily. So, it stands to reason that they're one of the first companies to install employee game-based learning.
McDonald's uses a customer interaction simulation game for their new hires. The digital restaurant setting teaches them how to deal with customers and how to input orders into the system. Prospective employees interact with virtual customers and must answer questions and complete tasks to ensure they can properly care for their consumers. Employees reach high-efficiency faster as they learn how to provide excellent service before they work in a real restaurant.
Microsoft uses gamification via its Silverlight app. The Language Quality game they invented assures accurate translations for their world-wide platform. Employees from all around the world engage in the game to help edit incorrect translations in their chosen language. Leading with Microsoft Japan, staff members effectively reviewed over 500,000 pages. To make it more fun and engaging, the company intentionally inserted incorrect translations.
Google initiated a travel expense gamified system that reached a compliance rate of 100% in 6 months. Along with the gamification element, they used incentives to inspire their staff to hand in travel expense info on time. If employees didn't spend their whole travel allowance, the leftover money could go into their next paycheck. Employees could also choose to save the remaining funds for their next trip or donate it to their charity of choice.
Samsung Nation is a gamified social loyalty platform. Samsung enlists its huge customer base to become ambassadors for their brand. These brand ambassadors generate branded content that has proved invaluable to the company's growth.
Their system involves sweepstakes for their loyal customers. Upon registering a Samsung product, buyers have the chance to win other products. Rewards are also set in place for customers who:
Each level provides customers with badges for their achievements. This application has produced incredible results for the company:
Last but not least, Domino's Pizza is a top international pizza pick-up and delivery restaurant. Domino's lowered their new employee onboarding time by using gamification in training programs. Domino's effectively trains and assesses new employees, teaching them how to quickly make the best pizza. Thus, new staff members excel at learning the menu and navigate the ordering platform in record time.
Effective gamification and game-based learning systems take time to develop. But, they provide invaluable results over the long-haul. Learning about your employees' needs, how they interact with your platform, and how to keep them engaged in the growth of your company is essential. Keep learning and check out our website for more insightful information on creating a successful business. For expert support, reach out for a free consultation! We'll help customize your growth strategy to fit your business and user needs.
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