Serious games have been growing in popularity in recent years. Many businesses are adopting this new approach to revolutionize in-house training programs. What are the benefits of Serious Games for e-learning and how can they be adapted to the professional world? Overview.
Serious game: what is it?
The “Serious games”, or “serious games” in French, have the same features and design as classic video games, except that they go beyond the entertainment dimension. The Serious Game is a training, communication, simulation and competition tool that is used to improve the skills of learners in the professional environment. The principle is to pass on knowledge and fundamental values through Gamification, all in a relaxed environment that is conducive to social interaction.
The Serious game is therefore considered to be a complement to e-learning insofar as it simulates constraining situations for which learners must find solutions. It makes it possible to assess the skills, but also the abilities of each person to face difficulties. But Serious games are above all educational tools with a fun nature. As such, learners discover a more motivating approach, and above all more effective, to acquire new knowledge and abilities more focused on professional activity.
Serious games in vocational training
Serious games in professional training combine different forms of gamification to achieve professional goals. If, at the beginning, companies in France showed a certain reluctance to use games in a very intensive context of work, today, the Serious Game is in full expansion. Large firms as well as SMEs are taking advantage of this method, which is revolutionizing the training of employees and new recruits.. There is no distinction between fields of activity: health, industry, catering, catering, education, communication and even politics can use Serious games.
Vocational training is essential for the development and growth of businesses. Serious games are applicable at all levels. In particular, they are useful for integrating new employees in a motivating way, but also for instilling new practices in old ones. Instead of handing out handouts of hundreds of pages that will never be read in full, Learners learn in a fun way : how to handle the machines, how to solve the various problems they might face, etc. Information is quickly absorbed and candidates feel more involved in their professional life.
In the professional environment, there are various ways to include Serious Games in training programs. The main themes addressed in serious games in this field are:
- The customer relationship;
- Project management;
- Business risks;
- Group cohesion;
-The use of new information and communication technologies (NTIC);
- The protection of the environment;
- etc.
The advantages of the Serious Game for professional training
The application of the Serious Game in the field of training generates various advantages. Many companies have testified to their success after bringing a touch of fun to their training system.. Here are the main advantages of the Serious Game:
- Training is becoming more effective to the extent that interns or new hires benefit during their Onboarding an immersion that is both realistic and fun in the work environment and its activities;
- Training is more flexible : in the classroom, in the open air, face-to-face or remotely, in Blended Learning (mixed)... The Serious Game is an ideal complement to the various forms of digital learning;
- Learners are more productive : the return on investment is therefore generally insured for business managers;
- Time saver : employees are not stuck for days on end attending classroom training and reading endless documents;
- The new generations are more comfortable with less formal, more digital and interactive training methods;
- The applications of the serious game are very diversified.
In addition, Information is more easily assimilated when it makes an impression on the mind. This is one of the goals of Serious Games. Important knowledge and values are passed on easily and are acquired in a pleasant way.
How to adapt the Serious Game within a company
Newly founded startups are generally more likely to turn to the Serious Game, which perfectly meets their need for innovation and discovery. On the other hand, For traditional businesses, serious games represent a new tool to learn to improve their performance. In this case, setting up this new system can be quite painstaking.
It is therefore wise to turn to professionals to support the transition to this new form of learning. It is also necessary to be equipped with cutting-edge tools to ensure a perfect immersion of learners. The return on investment will be guaranteed if the right equipment and best practices are combined.
