Do you think video games are effective only for the influx of Millennial males in the workplace? If so, think again. According to research by Entertainment Software Association, 29% of gamers are over the age of 50, and the average gamer is 37 years of age. In addition, women make up 41% of gamers in the United States. So, it turns out video games are appealing and effective for individuals of all ages from different genders.
Here’s how video games can make your employees with different backgrounds more effective learners.
Improves Self-Esteem and Stress-Relief
When learners are playing video games, they’re involved in experiential learning environments that allow them to fail and try again, and they’re often sucked into flow-like states that allow them to focus on their learning tasks at hand—reducing stress levels. Video game environments can be self-paced learning environments, too, allowing learners to go through material at their own pace. And each time learners complete a level or unlock an achievement, their self-esteem is improved, allowing and motivating them to continue to more advanced levels.
Provides Immediate Feedback
Video games offer immediate feedback to learners, increasing their engagement levels and interest in the learning material they’re interacting with. As learners try to unlock achievements or move through levels, they know immediately whether they’re scoring points or not, and they receive instant feedback on where they need to improve. Video games can also provide helpful hints and tips for how to advance to the next stage or level in the game throughout each level.
Offers a Fun and Interactive Environment
Playing video games that have life-like avatars and simulated environments are often a lot more enjoyable for learners, compared to being forced to read dozens of pages in a manual or view boring slide shows. Video games allow learners to directly engage with their learning material in real time, ensuring that they’re better able to retain and recall the material later when they need it.
Increases Content Retention
When a learner is immersed in a video game, they’re not only more engaged in what they’re learning because it’s more entertaining, they’re also more likely to remember what they’re learning because they’re immersed in their learning experiences. Video games allow learners simulated game-based environments where they can apply what they’re learning in real time.
Fosters Better Teamwork and Healthy Competition
Learners can also interact with one another in video games and work together to unlock achievements and reach different goals. Video games are a great way to foster healthy competition among coworkers while still encouraging them to work together in a fun and interactive learning environment.
If you want your employees to learn more and have fun while they’re doing it, video games are a great option for all.
Sources:
http://info.thinkfun.com/stem-education/the-benefits-of-games-in-the-workplace
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3857775
https://journalistsresource.org/studies/society/education/outcomes-of-game-based-learning-research-roundup