We wouldn’t be all about game-based learning (which we are) unless it had a bunch of amazing benefits that made it stand out from traditional training methods (which it does).

Unsure? Not to worry. Let us convince you.

Game-based learning is an engaging corporate training approach where learning occurs through games.

Here’s the breakdown on seven benefits that make game-based learning awesome.

Game-based training doesn't just make training fun. Learn the three main benefits of switching to a game-based approach in this video. More info: https://resources.lemonadetraining.com/how-to-improve-learning-outcomes-reduce-training-time-with-game-based-training

1. Less Training Time

First, let’s talk about training time.

Game-based learning fast tracks training and onboarding processes so employees spend less time training and more time doing their jobs.

It’s easy to assume that because game-based learning is fun and exciting, employees will waste time playing and not return to their regular responsibilities.

But this isn’t true. Time for a fact-check!

On average, employees lose about 20-25 hours of productive time for game-based learning, compared to 46 hours of productive time for traditional training. ^[1]

An employee could spend an hour reading a training manual or attending a classroom training seminar. But with game-based learning, a course can be completed in 5 minutes because they are broken into short segments.

Game-based learning programs are designed to be motivational and engaging so they inspire employees to train regularly and work through the games quickly. This prevents employees from spending too long away from their day-to-day duties.

2. Cost-Effective

Another benefit of game-based learning is the cost.

Hold on to your hats. We’re about to throw out some big numbers:

Did you know companies lose an estimated $13.5 million per 1000 employees per year due to poor training? ^[2]

Game-based learning is a cost-effective method that puts this money to better use.

Since game-based learning speeds up the training process, it saves companies’ money on lost productive time.

Also, the average annual cost per employee for traditional training is approximately $986. In contrast, the average cost of game-based learning per employee is under $68. ^[3] Cha-Ching!

3. Improved Learning Outcomes

Pop quiz.

Q1. Game-based learning will help employees

a) Learn what you want them to learn

b)Remember what you want them to learn

c) Directly apply what you want them to learn

Trick question. The answer is d) All of the above.

Let’s unpack this a little.

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Game-based learning is active. So instead of passively reading a manual, employees put information into practice through games.

For example, in LemonadeLXP, training games include role-play questions. This gives employees experience applying their knowledge to potential real-world scenarios.

Training games have low-stakes for employees because they aren’t formal evaluations. This makes the games feel risk-free and gives the employees space to experiment and build confidence within the games.

Remember More

Game-based learning is designed to improve retention.

The average knowledge retention rate for game-based learning is over 70% — compared to the 5% retention rate for traditional training. ^[4]

Game-based learning functions around two main learning philosophies: practice testing and distributed practice.

Practice testing is a learning framework where users take frequent practice tests. (We think it’s very aptly named.)

This method helps test-takers remember what they’ve learned by continually asking them to recall information. It turns the act of remembering into a habit and makes information harder to forget.

The second — but equally as important — framework is distributed practice. This approach to learning spreads information out over time, instead of all at once (like at a day-long corporate training session.) By learning in small bursts, employee knowledge retention increases. ^[5]

Game-based learning platforms, like LemonadeLXP, utilize distributed practice by breaking up course content into microlearning sections and then encouraging users to retake courses over time.

Directly Apply More

Employee behaviour changes at a much higher rate with game-based learning than with traditional learning approaches.

Employees get practice applying concepts through role-play scenarios embedded within the games. So when they return to their regular duties, they already have experience applying the content to real-world situations. This makes the transition between training and applying knowledge on the job much easier.

Training games have a focus on mastery and habit building. They encourage employees to retake courses until the content is mastered. And mastering content leads to confident application.

Employees’ change in behaviour is also aided by their increased retention of information. By remembering the information effectively, they can apply it better.

4. Increased Employee Engagement And Participation

Let me set the scene:

You are seated in a conference room, listening to a training presentation on your company’s newest policies. You keep glancing at the clock, fully aware that lunch should have started twenty minutes ago. You look at the open training manual in front of you. A wall of printed text stares back. You read a line and can’t remember what you’ve just read.

No wonder 42% of employees describe traditional training as boring and useless. ^[6]

In contrast, game-based learning is fun, active, and experiential, making it an exciting game-changer — literally — compared to other methods.

The visual and interactive nature of games intrigues users and the rewarding, real-time feedback motivates them to keep going.

Getting employees to participate in training, especially if it is voluntary, is hard. But because of its engaging nature, game-based learning tends to have higher engagement and participation rates. For example, one LemonadeLXP program saw a 106% increase in voluntary participation and a 266% increase in repeat engagement with training.

5. Ahead Of The Technological And Learning Curves

We live in the future and game-based learning is very much a part of it.

Social media has trained attention spans to be shorter and people are used to getting their information in accessible micro chunks like Tweets.

Game-based learning fits into this modern way of learning because each course is broken into small parts and is available on demand on all devices — like phones, laptops, and tablets. (We are still working on holograms.)

Game-based learning aligns with the modern workplace and shows employees that their employers understand, and are willing to adapt to current learning needs.

6. Enhances Employee Perceptions

Time to say it again for the people in the back!

Game-based learning shows employees that their employers care about, and are catering to their needs as modern learners.

And through its rewarding, exciting, and cutting-edge nature, game-based learning will influence employees to perceive their company as fun and cool.

7. Easy Progress Tracking

The final benefit of game-based learning lies in the backend/admin side.

Game-based learning platforms typically include real-time analytics so employers don’t have to guess or stress over whether employees fully understand the training material.

Relieved of this burden, employers can track the progress of their employees and can confirm that their desired learning goals are being met.

Employers can also use this data to identify employees who may need extra help grasping specific concepts.

The Bottom Line

Game-based learning is a cutting-edge corporate training method that saves time and money. It will help employees effectively learn, remember, and apply what they need to know. And it will help employers measure that this is happening.

Employees won’t think this training is boring or useless. Instead, they’ll be engaged with the material, perceive their company as cool, and be more likely to voluntarily participate in training.

Sources:

7 Proven Benefits of Game-Based Learning

Is game-based learning for you? Yes. We’re a little biased.