The game and gamification systems in training may be an asset for many, but many trainers have not yet been fully - or even poorly - aware of them. Preparing trainers for gamification goes well beyond putting tools in their hands in order to test them, it is about allowing them to approach gamified training in full knowledge of its effects, its mechanisms and what he and his learners have to learn from it..
Step 1 - Raise awareness of the benefits of gamification
La Gamification has benefits for both learners and trainers. The first step in preparing trainers for gamification will therefore be to explain to them the main benefits of this type of mechanism.. Beyond its fun aspect and the fun dimension that comes from the game, gamification motivates learners, improves their engagement and results. Indeed, gamified training has a reputation for optimizing the retention of information and key concepts, and for promoting cognitive development. Finally, among its advantages, it makes it possible to quickly visualize the progress and progress of learners in the training, helping trainers to easily identify elements in difficulty, for example.
What to remember
1 - Understanding the benefits of gamification is the first step in preparing trainers for gamification
2 - At this stage, we review the benefits for learners, but also for trainers.
Step 2 - Train trainers on the mechanisms of gamification
Train the help of the Gamification without knowing how it works, the mechanisms and the actors involved is of little interest. That's why preparing trainers for gamification necessarily involves a phase of training the trainers themselves, in which they will first learn how the principle of gamification works, in particular on which game principles it is based. An opportunity, for example, to look at a model at the foundations of gamification theory: Octalysis and its eight principles, which explains the mechanisms at play behind this concept. On the other hand, this phase of training in gamification theory will make it possible to better understand the types of player profiles that trainers will face among learners, in order to better understand their motivations and how to approach them.
What to remember
1 - Address the principles of gamification, for example using the Octalysis model, which theorizes its principles
2 - Familiarize trainers with the different types of players they may encounter during training.
Step 3 - Train trainers in all types of application of gamification in training
Continuing with the previous part, preparing trainers for gamification involves Train them on all the ways in which gamification can be applied to the field of training, but also on the function and mechanisms of each tool. This involves reviewing learning game activities in the field of face-to-face andelearning. As for gamified face-to-face educational activities, there are group, card or board games, but also role-playing games, Serious Games or escape games. On the other hand, digital tools such as mobile learning, the gamification options offered by LMS and LXPs, as well as the possible applications of gamification in training using virtual reality or augmented reality should be mentioned.
What to remember
1 - Addressing the gamification tools used in face-to-face training
2 - Addressing the gamification tools used in distance and independent training
Step 4 - Make trainers aware of storytelling around the game
Bringing the game into training requires adopting a narration, a story around or at least adopting a certain type of lexical field to introduce and support the phases of the game in a natural way.. Indeed, beyond the tools, educational games and gamified software, the trainer's speech, which includes a narration around the game elements, complements the learning material and allows boost employee engagement to take part in it. Preparing trainers for gamification can therefore go as far as teaching them how to structure a global story in order to contextualize game activities in the training. In the extreme, this adoption of the story can go as far as role-playing, especially when talking about training games-tools such as escape games. The narration around the game makes it possible to frame and structure the missions in the case of group activities or challenges.
What to remember
1 - Understand and adopt the lexical field around gaming and gamification in training
2 - Teach trainers to structure a global story in order to contextualize game activities in the training
Step 5 - Familiarize trainers with digital gamification tools
With the generalization of the gamification of training thanks to digital tools, it is impossible to miss the wonderful world of e-learning or Mobile learning who are using it more and more copiously. A trainer prepared for gamification must have gone through mobile learning, for example, for the simple reason that this exploding training tool is largely based on its principles.. The last step, therefore, to prepare trainers for gamification: to familiarize them with all the digital tools at their disposal, as well as “hybrid” training models such as Blended Learning, which brings together both autonomous and face-to-face e-learning.
What to remember
1 - Familiarize trainers with digital tools that use gamification
2 - Approach both their use, on the learner side and on the trainer side
