Incorporating Gamification in Your Mobile Learning Strategy

In a recent report, Forrester forecasted that the usage of mobile devices globally is going to reach over 5 billion users by 2022. This startling statistic is just further proof that mobile devices have become essential elements of our everyday lives. With the continued adoption of mobile devices as well as other technological advancements, it has given rise to the concept of anytime, anywhere learning that is known as mobile learning.

Technological advancements are allowing us to add improvements such as gamification to enhance the learner’s experience. Gamification refers to the use of multimedia, simulations, virtual reality, and other ‘gaming’ components that provide the learner with a more hands-on training experience to help them gain a deeper understanding. Incorporating gamified learning into your mobile training strategy will help boost the effectiveness of your training efforts.

As a result, mobile learning and gamification continue to be two of the hottest trends in online learning in 2018. So, should you go mobile or gamify? Fortunately, you can have the best of both worlds by incorporating gamification into your mobile training strategy. This post discusses the benefits of using gamified mobile learning.

1. It Gives the Employee More Control Over Their Training

Gamified learning motivates the learner to complete their training as it allows them to have control over their own learning experience. Mobile training allows the employee the convenience and flexibility of completing their course anywhere, anytime. Gamification, on the other hand, is a learner-centered experience which incorporates exploration and decision-making to achieve a desired outcome. As such, rather than information being forced on the learner, gamified learning allows them to extract the information they need to complete a certain section of the module, just like they would in an actual game. This results in an enjoyable, satisfying, and more impactful learning experience.

2. Boosting Cognitive Abilities

Traditional learning, as good as it was, had one major flaw; it focused on giving knowledge rather than teaching it. For instance, conventional conference training typically revolves around placing employees into a hall and calling a tutor to educate them. Even if the tutor does show them some practical skills, it is unlikely that they will attend to each learner personally. This results in workers who have knowledge about what they are supposed to do but cannot effectively apply those theoretical concepts to their jobs.

However, when you apply gamification to your training, it trains the learner how to do the actual thing. This is achieved through techniques such as model simulations. The learner is forced to apply the theoretical knowledge into an actual problem they need to solve in the module. This ensures that they get the most out of the training course while increasing the probability that they will correctly apply the learned skills during a moment of need.

Moreover, gamified learning boosts your employees’ proficiency by giving them challenges that gradually become tougher as they progress. Formative feedback, additional practice sessions, and remediation are used to help them move from baseline proficiency to mastery. Furthermore, when you offer these training experiences in a mobile learning format, you will be increasing the rates of learning and practice. Additionally, these assets can continue to be used long after the main training has been completed to help the employees to continue enhancing their proficiency.

3. Creating a Positive Association With Learning

Think about it. You are more likely to be good at what you enjoy doing than that which you don’t. And given that most people do not consider traditional training methods fun, it is not unlikely for a learner to switch off during the class. And since you are paying for that training, you naturally want to get the most bang for your buck. Therefore, changing to a training strategy that can make learning seem fun will enhance your employees’ engagement during training.

Gamification is both enjoyable and rewarding to a learner, and this shifts their attitude so that they start seeing learning in a positive light. Consequently, your employees will start becoming more proactive towards learning and this will create a strong culture within your organization that is going to be adopted by new hires. Such a culture is a critical element towards the productivity and overall success of the organization.

4. Increasing Your ROI

Gamification and mobile learning, individually, are among the most cost-effective training solutions out there. However, when combined, you will be tasked to find a more efficient combination. Mobile training ensures that the training modules remain in the employee’s pocket so they can review them whenever they need to do, while you only need to purchase one gamification software to be shared among the employees. This powerful duo helps ensures that you reap the maximum benefits from your training budget while enhancing learning efficiency.

Nevertheless, there is always a risk of getting too gamified, and thereby missing the whole point. Your learners could find themselves spending a lot of time on frivolous animations and mechanics rather than the learning itself. Therefore, you need to employ the services of an experienced gamification and mobile learning specialist to help you correctly incorporate gamified learning into your mobile training strategy.

Designing Digitally is a mobile training solutions provider that offers various eLearning programs to suit your organization. We provide customized solutions that incorporate creativity, innovation, and gamification to enhance the learner’s retention. We will partner with you to assess and establish the specific learning objectives which align with your business initiatives. We will then customize a learning solution that will best meet those objectives.