I started writing this a long time back. A good 6 years ago I think... I found it in my inbox and realized that it is still quite relevant. So, here's from the draft box...
I've heard this phrase over and over again. In fact, I dread when I will next hear it. This statement is a bit of a hydra monster with multiple ugly heads:
1. The marketing dudes are convinced that game-based learning = opportunity to hike up the billing rate. Hence, the hard sell (and completely mis-sell) to hapless ( and now increasingly) wary clients to pay more and get a 'game-based learning' module. Whether they understand what they are selling, or whether it is the required solution obviously NEVER occurs to them.
Reality Check - All learning activities DO NOT need a game-based approach. If the learners get/are given sufficient time to play a learning game it maybe a good idea. If the target and needs analysis reveals a propensity for the learner to absorb more through an engaging learning game, then too it is a good learning device/platform.
If the expensive (and often difficult to upgrade) learning game does not work out, chances are that the client just may not come back to you. Assuming this is a client-learning vendor relationship.
2. The client thinks it's a hip think to do since:
If the expensive (and often difficult to upgrade) learning game does not work out, chances are that the client just may not come back to you. Assuming this is a client-learning vendor relationship.
I've heard this phrase over and over again. In fact, I dread when I will next hear it. This statement is a bit of a hydra monster with multiple ugly heads:
1. The marketing dudes are convinced that game-based learning = opportunity to hike up the billing rate. Hence, the hard sell (and completely mis-sell) to hapless ( and now increasingly) wary clients to pay more and get a 'game-based learning' module. Whether they understand what they are selling, or whether it is the required solution obviously NEVER occurs to them.
Reality Check - All learning activities DO NOT need a game-based approach. If the learners get/are given sufficient time to play a learning game it maybe a good idea. If the target and needs analysis reveals a propensity for the learner to absorb more through an engaging learning game, then too it is a good learning device/platform.
If the expensive (and often difficult to upgrade) learning game does not work out, chances are that the client just may not come back to you. Assuming this is a client-learning vendor relationship.
2. The client thinks it's a hip think to do since:
- Everybody else is doing it.
- The learners are rejecting the cheap, quick, and dirty web-based page turners forced on them. Games are the hope avenue which leads to better learning.
- It will make a better business impact when the learner carries back all the knowledge back to the job.
If the expensive (and often difficult to upgrade) learning game does not work out, chances are that the client just may not come back to you. Assuming this is a client-learning vendor relationship.
