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How Can Gamification Help Employee Training?
Most relationships lose their spark over time, and the one between your employees and training is no different. If you want to reignite their enthusiasm for learning, gamification in learning management systems (LMS) might just do the trick.
Are you seeing signs of boredom whenever training is mentioned? Has participation in your LMS dropped? Are the learning outcomes barely improving after each session? These are clear indicators that something is missing from your employee training strategy.
Even if employees aren’t vocal about it, the issue could lie in how the training is delivered. While modern workers value lifelong learning, they can still lose interest. Not everyone shares the same passion for training, and this is where motivation dips. A basic certificate alone might not be enough to keep them engaged.
This is where gamified learning shines. By incorporating game-like elements into your LMS and training programs, you can boost both engagement and motivation. Here are eight key advantages:
Rewards Boost Motivation
Few things are as motivating as recognition and rewards for achievements. In a gamified LMS, employees earn points and badges by completing training modules, participating in discussions, and mastering quizzes. This visible progress drives further motivation.
Leaderboards and social recognition allow employees to showcase their rewards and compete with their peers. Tease upcoming badges or rewards to add excitement to the learning process. This healthy competition encourages engagement across your organization.
Dull Training Becomes an Adventure
Gamification transforms even the most mundane topics into an engaging experience. In fact, a 2019 survey revealed that 30% of employees wanted to gamify compliance training—a traditionally dull subject.
With a gamified LMS, employees don’t just aim for certificates. They’re collecting badges, progressing through levels, and tackling immersive challenges. Whether it’s completing a rescue mission or overcoming a virtual obstacle, each task feels like an accomplishment that drives them toward their goal.
Faster Training Completion
Gamification taps into the psychology of gaming to keep employees engaged, even when motivation is low. The reward system encourages frequent participation, with employees keen to earn points, badges, or level up. This results in faster course completion rates, without sacrificing quality.
However, be sure that employees are advancing at a comfortable pace, truly absorbing the material. A well-designed LMS with gamified elements should include various assessments and progress reports to ensure mastery of content.
Promotes Positive Behavior Change
In areas like compliance and soft skills training, gamification works as positive reinforcement. By rewarding the right behavior immediately, employees are more likely to replicate it in real-life scenarios without overthinking.
This approach encourages behavioral change, creating more effective learning experiences in your LMS.
Builds Team Spirit
Most gamified training programs incorporate some level of competition, whether it’s between individuals or teams. By blending competition with collaboration, employees can work together to earn points, complete tasks, and celebrate wins.
This setup not only fosters friendly competition but also strengthens teamwork, improving relationships across the organization.
Highlights Knowledge Gaps
In a game, you can’t move forward without conquering a challenge. Similarly, in gamified training, employees can’t progress unless they master the material. This helps highlight knowledge gaps early, ensuring that employees get the support they need before moving to the next level.
This structured approach ensures that no critical learning is missed.
Enhances Knowledge Retention
Two common obstacles in training are boredom and lack of motivation. By regularly rewarding progress, gamification helps combat these challenges. Repetition is built into the learning process, ensuring employees revisit material until they’ve fully mastered it.
Quizzes and points thresholds act as checkpoints, requiring employees to demonstrate comprehension before moving forward in the course.
Fosters a Growth Mindset
Gamified training encourages a growth mindset. Employees will face challenges, but they’ll also experience recognition and rewards along the way. This builds resilience, teaching that setbacks are temporary and can be overcome with persistence and focus.
Quizzes and points thresholds act as checkpoints, requiring employees to demonstrate comprehension before moving forward in the course.
Conclusion
While gamification isn’t a cure-all for disengaged employees or poorly designed content, it can elevate your LMS by adding excitement and engagement. When your content is strong and your team is ready, gamification can make all the difference.