Serious games have become a popular tool in the world of learning and development- i would say that as I personally use them a lot but few of my colleagues do. At their best, they are designed to be interactive, engaging, and immersive, with the aim of providing an enjoyable learning experience for learners. However, not all serious games are created equal, and choosing the right one can be a challenge. In this blog post, we’ll explore why and how to use serious games in learning, and draw on outside expert advice to ensure the response aligns with the latest organisational psychology theory. We’ll also provide some tips on how to select serious games to maximise learning.
Why use serious games in learning?
Serious games can be a highly effective tool for learning, as they provide a safe and engaging environment in which learners can practice and apply new skills and knowledge. By using a serious game, learners can explore and experiment with different scenarios and outcomes without the fear of making mistakes. This, in turn, can lead to improved learning outcomes, as learners are more likely to retain information that they have discovered through their own exploration and experimentation.
According to a study by the University of Colorado, serious games can increase knowledge retention by up to 90%. Another study conducted by the American Psychological Association found that serious games can improve cognitive skills, such as problem-solving, decision-making, and critical thinking.
How to select serious games to maximize learning?
When selecting a serious game for learning, it’s important to consider the learning objectives, target audience, and the game’s design. Here are some tips to help you select serious games to maximise learning:
- Identify learning objectives: Before choosing a serious game, it’s important to identify the learning objectives. This will help you choose a game that aligns with your learning goals and provides a meaningful learning experience. This is the hardest part as there are few ways to actively match needs and games. A thorough knowledge of games available is critical – this is possibly why so few games are used in learning.
- Consider the target audience: Serious games should be designed with the target audience in mind. Consider the age, educational background, and experience level of the learners, as this will impact the design of the game and the type of content that is included.
- Look for engaging design: The design of the serious game should be engaging and immersive, as this will help learners stay motivated and interested in the content. Look for games that incorporate a variety of interactive elements- ensure the games do not need to much manual dexterity to participate, also that the rules are not too complex to quickly learn – remember you may only play the game once or maybe twice, ensure that the game is also fun to play.
- Choose games with clear feedback: Feedback is crucial in serious games, as it helps learners understand how they are progressing and what they need to do to improve. Look for games that provide clear and immediate feedback, as this will help learners stay on track and motivated. Ensure that this feedback support your learning objectives and is aligned with the basic theory you are trying to engager participants with.
- Consider time usage wisely – longer games can be useful as they are immersive and participants must live with their decisions longer but often leave little time to learn lessons, remember we’re here to lean and not just to play.
I have certainly found that serious games can be an effective tool for learning, but selecting the right game is crucial. By considering the learning objectives, target audience, and game design, you can choose a serious game that maximises learning and provides an engaging and enjoyable learning experience for your learners. So, don’t hesitate to explore the world of serious games and see how they can enhance your learning and development programs.